Learn about the causes of Scoliosis & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Scoliosis within New Zealand.
Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine which forms during childhood, whereby a lateral curvature develops. The exact cause is unknown, but there is a hereditary factor, and it can also arise secondary to another condition, such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida.
Causes of scoliosis
Scoliosis can develop any time during childhood or adolescence. Eighty
per cent of scoliosis cases have no known cause (idiopathic) however
idiopathic scoliosis is thought to be hereditary and a recently
discovered gene may make people more susceptible to the condition if it
is passed on by a family member.
Other cases of scoliosis are
usually caused by conditions affecting the nerves and muscles such as
muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Children who are unable to walk
because of these conditions have an underdeveloped spine and are unable
to stand upright.
Scoliosis can also be as a result of a birth
defect but the condition cannot be caused by poor posture or carrying
heavy weights on the back.
Children with scoliosis will have some of the following symptoms:
Scoliosis is diagnosed with a physical examination by a GP. The GP will
examine the spine, hips and shoulders and then refer the child to an
orthopaedic specialist for an X-ray to determine the shape, direction
and angle of the curve.
In severe curvature, an MRI scan may be
required to check for any neurological conditions. In 90% of cases the
condition corrects itself during growth of the child. For the remaining
10% of scoliosis cases a back brace will prevent further curvature and
some children may require surgical intervention.
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk