Can Baby Walkers, Swingy Swings & Jolly Jumpers cause (or “turn on” genetic predispositions for) Scoliosis in Infants? From TORTIPELVIS VOL. I, by Dr. Fred Barge: From the womb to birth children begin life with their spine in a “C” curve. The secondary curves are not yet developed as is evident in a newborns inability … Read more
Scoliosis has been known to run in families. According to the University of Iowa Health Care department, “Hereditary and congenital irregularities have emerged as the most probable causes of scoliosis today.” While genetics is believed to play a role in scoliosis and despite the vast amount of research, more than 80 percent of scoliosis cases … Read more
What Causes Scoliosis? Scoliosis affects approximately 4% of of the population. These scoliosis cases fall into two groups: Nonstructural Scoliosis and Structural Scoliosis. To determine what causes scoliosis, you must first determine what type of scoliosis. Nonstructural vs Functional Cause of Scoliosis This type of scoliosis is caused by a temporary condition and the spine … Read more
What is the Cobb angle? The Cobb angle was first described in 1948 by Dr. John R Cobb, an American orthopedic surgeon, to measure the angle of spinal curves. It was originally used to measure coronal plane (frontal plane, vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (front & back) sections) abnormality on … Read more
Scoliosis is not a disease. It is a term used to describe any abnormal, lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. As these curves present in different ways, there are different types of scoliosis. Viewed from the back, a typical spine is straight. If the spine curves, it can show up as a curve to either … Read more
Scoliosis Symptoms What are the symptoms of scoliosis? Scoliosis symptoms are often first noticed by a friend or family member because the changes in the spine happen gradually. They may notice your posture as suddenly changed or your back looks very different. Scoliosis is an abnormal twisting of the spine, but these curvatures always begin … Read more
Very Disturbing Report on Scoliosis Surgery Pain–Recently Published (2013) When severe scoliosis in teenagers progresses to a point at which lung and heart function are compromised, surgery can become a necessary intervention. Spinal fusion surgery is a very complex and invasive elective surgical procedure that can result in excruciating postoperative pain. A 2013 study detailed … Read more
Are Patients Unable to View Scoliosis Surgery as Failed? A Major Spinal Surgery is impossible to reverse. Why is there a relatively small number of patients who regret having scoliosis surgery, in spite of greater than 50% complication rates AND greater than 27% rate of reoperations after the first surgery has failed (and even sometimes the … Read more
“Long-term outcome of surgery for AIS creates a more negative end result over the course of a lifetime than the natural history of the condition itself.” A 2013 study, Indication for surgical treatment in patients with adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis – a critical appraisal (Weiss HR, Moramarco M), searched recent and applicable publications in the field of Adolescent … Read more
Many people carry the genes that trigger the development of scoliosis. The genetics may or may not be “expressed” and the person may or may not even develop scoliosis. The genetic weakness that predisposes a person to scoliosis needs to be activated or “turned on” by something. That “something” ranges from a trauma, postural stress … Read more
Scoliosis Hip Pain One of the defining symptoms of scoliosis is having one hip that appears higher than the other. This can lead to pain when walking or standing for long periods of time. Pain is often at the apex of the curve (where the spine curves out the most). Pain develops as a result of the … Read more
Sciatica and Scoliosis Sciatic and Scoliosis can often co-exist. Scoliosis can sometimes cause pain in the lower back and legs. Most cases of scoliosis in teenagers are asymptomatic and are mistakenly blamed for causing pain. The pain is usually the result of another physical source. However, in adult cases pain is a common complaint. Most adolescent … Read more