Straight talk about curved spines

by Julie Zielinski, MD

Julie Zielinski, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. For more information, call Erlanger’s physician referral line at 423-778-LINK(5465).

Although all spines have a natural curve, some people develop a sideways curve known as scoliosis. Most of the time, scoliosis develops during growth spurts in adolescence. Girls, ages 11 to 13, and boys, ages 13 and 14, are the most vulnerable, although scoliosis affects girls eight times more often than boys.

Scoliosis seldom causes pain in children and teens, and it’s often subtle in appearance.  Researchers aren’t sure why mild scoliosis occurs, although studies show it is not caused by carrying heavy backpacks or not standing up straight.

Occasionally, a person may have a curved spine because of other health problems, such an uneven leg lengths, a birth defect, or a disease that affects the back muscles or other tissues. Sometimes people who injure their spine may have temporary scoliosis.

The simplest way to check for scoliosis is the “forward-bend” test. Parents can perform this simple, 30-second screening exam at home. Here’s how:

• Have your child bend forward. Knees should be straight, and arms should hang down at sides.
• Look for a prominence or elevation in the trunk area.  Is one shoulder blade higher or more prominent than the other? Does one side of the back appear higher than the other?
• Have your child stand up straight. Are the shoulders uneven? Does she or he lean to one side? Is one hip higher than the other? Are the feet even and side by side?

If you suspect your child is developing scoliosis, contact your child’s pediatrician for a complete checkup and thorough evaluation. Most young people with mild scoliosis only need a check-up every few years. Studies have shown that most mild curves will not get worse as a child grows older.

Severe cases of scoliosis may need more care and treatment. Some children or teens may need to wear plastic or metal braces to stop curves from getting worse. In rarer cases, children and adults may need surgery to reduce severe curves. Left untreated, severe cases can cause back pain or affect breathing during adulthood. That’s why it’s so important to check for scoliosis during childhood and the teen years.

Julie Zielinski, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. For more information, call Erlanger’s physician referral line at 423-778-LINK(5465).