Scoliosis

The curves in your spine should follow a vertical line when looking from the back. If your spine curves to the left or right, you might have scoliosis. Early detection is key to try to prevent surgery.  If surgery is necessary, Robert H. Cho, MD, with offices in Beverly Hills and the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, uses advanced techniques to stabilize your spine with minimal tissue damage, addressing the pain and organ compression severe scoliosis can cause. He is also the only surgeon in Los Angeles that offers motion preserving anterior vertebral body tethering surgery.  Call the nearest office or book a scoliosis evaluation online today. 

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is where your spine has an abnormal curvature to one side, so instead of following a straight line from neck to pelvis, it curves to the left, right, or both. 

Scoliosis can affect your mid-back (thoracic spine) or lower back (lumbar spine), but mid-back scoliosis is more common. There are five categories of scoliosis:

Congenital scoliosis

Congenital scoliosis occurs because of an abnormality in how the ribs and spinal bones of a fetus form within the womb, meaning a person is born with the condition.

Infantile scoliosis

Infantile scoliosis affects children under 3 years old.

Juvenile scoliosis

Juvenile scoliosis affects children ages 4 to 10.

Adolescent scoliosis

Adolescent scoliosis occurs in children and teens ages of 11 to 18.

Adult scoliosis

Adult scoliosis affects people over the age of 18.

Symptoms of scoliosis depend on the cause of your condition, its severity, and your age. Some people have scoliosis and experience no problems, but it can cause an abnormal gait and musculoskeletal misalignments that put stress on your body, resulting in pain.

In some cases, scoliosis can affect breathing and organ function due to compression of the chest and abdomen.

What are the causes of scoliosis?

Scoliosis has a variety of causes, including:

• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spina bifida
• Polio
• Marfan syndrome
• Skeletal dysplasia
• Osteoporosis
• Spondylosis
• Degenerative disc disease

Functional scoliosis is where your spine looks curved, but there's no structural defect. It may be due to an underlying inflammatory disorder, leg length inequalities, or abnormal muscle development. Many patients have idiopathic scoliosis, where there’s no identifiable cause.

What treatments are available for scoliosis?

The scoliosis treatment you require depends on the cause of your condition, your age, and the type of curvature. If the curvature is below 20 degrees, you won't require treatment, but should see Dr. Cho periodically for a review in case the condition worsens.

The nonsurgical approach to treating scoliosis involves wearing a back brace, which can be particularly effective in children with a 20- to 40-degree spinal curvature. However, bracing won't work for neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis.

Surgery might be necessary if you have a severe curve that's causing you pain or disability or is compressing your lungs and other organs. To perform scoliosis surgery, Dr. Cho uses metal rods, hooks, and screws to stabilize your spine.

For an expert assessment of your spine and effective scoliosis treatment, call Robert H. Cho, MD, or book an appointment online today.