Scoliosis is a curvature in the back that is greater than 10 degrees. This is measured on an X-ray of the spine. As a curve develops in the spine there is also rotation and curvature of the ribs. This rotation of the ribs is what nurses and physicians routinely look for during the scoliosis screening physical examination. The most common form of scoliosis is called Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, or AIS.  “Idiopathic” is a fancy word that means we (physicians) don’t completely understand, yet, what causes these curves in the spine.

Curves in the back are sometimes a worrisome reality for many young people and their parents here in San Antonio. The American Association of Pediatrics and the Scoliosis Research Society have worked hand-in-hand with state legislatures, Texas included, to develop school screening programs to identify
young people with curves or rotation in the spine. In the state of Texas, school screening for scoliosis occurs during the 6^th grade and again in the 9^th grade. The purpose of screening is to identify young people with possible curves in their back and facilitate follow-up visits with their primary care physician or pediatric spine physician.

Who gets scoliosis?
The prevalence of the most common type of scoliosis, AIS, is around 1 percent of all adolescents. Females are 4 times more likely to have AIS than males and have a 10 times greater risk of their curvature growing. AIS is commonly diagnosed during the pre-teen and teenage growth spurts (around puberty). This can be as young as 9 years old in females or even the mid-to-late teen years for males.

How is scoliosis treated?
Scoliosis is treated in three main ways: 

1. Very small curves (from 10 degrees to 25 degrees) are treated with close observation by a physician
2. Moderate sized curves (from 25-50 degrees) are treated with a back brace
3. Severe scoliosis (greater than 50 degrees) are most commonly treated with surgery to decrease the curvature and stop it from growing.

What if my child has a positive school screening or I think they have scoliosis?
The first step is to contact your child’s primary care physician or a pediatric scoliosis doctor. They can examine your child and decide if an X-ray is needed. Based on the outcome of this examination and possible X-ray, a plan can be made for observation and/or treatment.

For more information about scoliosis or our pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, call UT Health Orthopaedics at 210-450-9300.


Article provided by Grant D. Hogue, M.D., assistant professor and Chief of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Spinal Deformity at UT Health San Antonio.