Scoliosis
BY: KALENE GETZ
Case Study:

Chief complaint- developing pain at her upper back.

During examination, a positive tenderness at the thoracic vertebrae,
and a limitation on bending forward was noted.

Mild case of Scoliosis

Personal/ social history- very active in sports, no history of
hospitalization, and no surgical procedure.

Family history- mother had hypertension, diabetes, and mild scoliosis.
Father has bronchial asthma.
What is Scoliosis?

A lateral curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine
("Scoliosis of the Spine: Image, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments").

Curvature goes unnoticed by many.


One way it goes unnoticed is the grueling intenseness of sports.
Detected during school screening exams, and or physicals done by
a physician that comes to school.

Diagnosis of scoliosis and the determination of the type are made by a
careful bone exam and an x-ray to evaluate the magnitude of the
curve ("Scoliosis of the Spine: Image, Causes, Symptoms, and
Treatments").
Curvatures
•
3 different degrees of scoliosis:
mild, moderate, and severe.
•
Mild- less than 25°, may have
tilted head or uneven
shoulders("What is Scoliosis? Mild,
Moderate, Severe").
•
Moderate- curve of 26-40°, may
or may not be associated with
pain, may feel “clumsy” ("What is
Scoliosis? Mild, Moderate,
Severe").
•
•
Mild Scoliosis
Can start to affect the way you
do things.
Severe- curve is above 40° and
has a 90% risk of progression.
Spine may be visualized as a "C"
or "S" shape beneath the skin
("What is Scoliosis? Mild,
Moderate, Severe").
Moderate Scoliosis
Severe Scoliosis
Treatments
Braces:

The type will depend on the location of the curvature.

How severe it is.

As a patient is still in their growing stages it is better for them to be put into
braces to let the spine straighten out on its own.
Treatment continued…

Surgery:

Suggested for patients with curvatures over 50 degrees.

If braces have failed

Inserting a steel rode to help support the vertebrae.

Bone grafts to make the bone stronger and give better support to the
fused vertebrae ("Scoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Scoliosis NY Times Health Information").
References
A.D.A.M. "Scoliosis Treatment - Scoliosis Health Information - NY Times
Health." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News &
Multimedia. N.p., 26 Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
"Scoliosis - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of Scoliosis - NY Times
Health Information." The New York Times - Breaking News, World
News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
"Scoliosis of the Spine: Image, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments."
WebMD - Better information. Better health. N.p., n.d. Web.
27 Oct. 2014.
"What is Scoliosis? Mild, Moderate, Severe." Scoliosis Treatment- NonSurgical, Non-Bracing Treatment of Scoliosis in Miami and South
Florida - South Florida Scoliosis Center - CLEAR Certified. N.p., n.d.
Web. 25 Oct. 2014.