Five questions about scoliosis and how you can help

Quite common but rarely discussed. The 'S' of shame among teenagers. Feared but still hidden. A cause of despair for parents who discover it suddenly. We're talking about scoliosis. But what is it exactly? Most of the population still doesn't know, and 1 in 40 people worldwide has the issue. So here we go, let's talk about the top five questions about scoliosis and how you can help:

Five questions about scoliosis: What is scoliosis?

It's an abnormal curvature of the spine to one side of the torso with vertebral rotation. The main characteristic of scoliosis is the presence of a lateral curve in three dimensions (left/right, front/back, and around its own axis), which creates the appearance of an 'S' or 'C' (in the case of a single curve.) The deformity can worsen and lead to irreversible spinal deformities, causing a range of other problems. According to the World Health Organisation, scoliosis affects 2 to 4% of the world's population.

Can scoliosis be corrected?

Yes, and the earlier it's diagnosed, the higher the chance of reversing the curvature. That's why it's essential to keep an eye on children and pre-adolescents because that's when idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type with an unknown cause, typically begins. According to Dr. Alexandre Fogaça (Head of the Spine Group at IOT HC FMUSP, Professor at FMUSP, and a physician in the Scoliosis and other spinal deformities group at AACD), scoliosis can be treated in two ways, depending on the case:

Conservative treatment: Monitoring the progression of curves less than 20 degrees through regular exams and using orthopedic braces for curves between 30 and 40 degrees.
Surgical treatment: It should be based on the natural history of the deformity and the potential complications it will bring to the patient's adult life. Indications include curve progression in growing children and deformities greater than 50 degrees.

Still talking about conservative treatment, another great resource is physical therapy, which is often recommended for patients who are not yet surgical candidates.

How to know if scoliosis is severe?

By the degrees measured by the orthopedic specialist through X-ray examination. According to Dr. Carlos Eduardo Barsotti, a specialized orthopedic surgeon focused on high-complexity orthopedic surgeries, working in the treatment of spinal deformities, these are the degrees of scoliosis that will directly influence the most appropriate treatment:

10 to 25 degrees: mild degree, requiring physiotherapy treatment;

25 to 30 degrees: moderate degree, requiring physiotherapy and the use of an orthopedic brace;

40-45 degrees: high degree, requiring physiotherapy and the use of an orthopedic brace;

40-45 to 50 degrees: most severe degree, corrected through surgery.

How does a person with scoliosis look like?

According to Dr. Drauzio Varella, individuals with scoliosis have a laterally inclined body. From the early stages of the disease until the final growth period, back pain is usually mild. As the disease progresses, however, the degree of deviations in the thorax can increase and cause changes in other anatomical structures. In this case, the pain becomes severe, and the disease can become serious and disabling.

five questions about scoliosis — Severe scoliosis

What are the types of scoliosis?

According to Dr. Helder Montenegro, president of the Brazilian Association of Spine Rehabilitation, there are four main types of scoliosis: congenital, idiopathic, neuromuscular, and degenerative.

Congenital scoliosis is present at birth and is caused by a malformation of the spine. This type of scoliosis is relatively rare, accounting for only about 1% of all cases.
Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type, representing about 80% of all cases. It typically develops in childhood or adolescence and has no known cause.
Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by a neurological or muscular condition that leads to an imbalance in the muscles supporting the spine. This can result in a curve of the spine.
Degenerative scoliosis is a type of scoliosis that develops in adulthood. It is usually caused by wear and tear on the spine, which can lead to the development of a curvature.