Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome depends on the cause, location, and severity of the curve. The greater the curve, the greater the chance the curve will get worse after growth has stopped.
The greater the initial curve of the spine, the greater the chance the scoliosis will get worse after growth is complete. Severe scoliosis (curves in the spine greater than 100 degrees) can cause breathing problems.
Mild cases treated with bracing alone do very well. People with these kinds of conditions tend not to have long-term problems, except an increased rate of low back pain when they get older. People with surgically corrected idiopathic scoliosis can do very well and can lead active, healthy lives.
Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis have another serious disorder (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy) so their goals are much different. Often the goal of surgery is simply to allow a child to be able to sit upright in a wheelchair.
Babies with congenital scoliosis have a wide variety of underlying birth defects. Management of this disease is difficult and often requires many surgeries.
Complications
- Emotional problems or lowered self-esteem may occur as a result of the condition or its treatment (specifically, wearing a brace)
- Failure of the bone to join together (very rare in idiopathic scoliosis)
- Low back arthritis and pain as an adult
- Respiratory problems from severe curve
- Spinal cord or nerve damage from surgery or severe, uncorrected curve
- Spine infection after surgery
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you suspect your child may have scoliosis.
Images
Review Date: 09/17/2009
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.., and C.
Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and
Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
