People of all ages can have scoliosis. Out of every 1,000 children, three to five of them will develop spinal curves that are considered large enough to need treatment.
Idiopathic scoliosis falls into three different age ranges, which include:
- Infantile or early onset idiopathic scoliosis (children less than three years of age)
- Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (children between the ages of 3 and 10)
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (children older than 10 years of age).
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis of unknown cause) is the most common type of scoliosis. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis. Scoliosis can run in families, which means that a child who has a parent, brother, or sister with idiopathic scoliosis should be checked regularly for scoliosis by the family physician.
Although idiopathic scoliosis can occur in children younger than 10 years of age, it is very rare. It is also more common in Europe than in the United States.
- Ask you for a medical and family history report
- Perform a physical exam
- Order tests.
An x-ray of the spine can also help your doctor decide if you have scoliosis. The x-ray will allow your doctor to measure the curve of your spine in degrees (such as 25 degrees) and see its location, shape, and pattern.
Treatment for scoliosis is based on:
- The person's age
- How much more he or she is likely to grow
- The degree and pattern of the curve
- The type of scoliosis.
Your doctor may recommend one of the following
scoliosis treatments: observation, bracing, or surgery.
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