Scoliosis is a spinal deformity which affects more than four million people in the United States alone. Scoliosis causes the spine to rotate and curve. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a type of scoliosis with no known cause found in people over the age of ten. When patients reach skeletal maturity, they have instead idiopathic scoliosis as they are no longer adolescent. As adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has no known cause, it is the most scientifically important type. Without knowing a cause, doctors cannot be expected to know how to prevent it and to cure it without correctional surgery. Possible causes for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, treatment options, and the effects AIS has on patients will be discussed.
Causes for some types of …show more content…
When the curve is larger, the girl to boy ratio is ten to one. With smaller curves, the girl to boy ratio is also smaller at two to one (Rinksy and Gamble, 1988). According to Rinksy and Gamble (1988), the four major curvature patterns are consistent with single thoracic curves to the right at ninety percent, single lumbar curves to the left at seventy percent, thoracolumbar curves to the left at eighty percent, and double major curves are right and left thoracic and lumbar respectively, at ninety percent. Most of the effects AIS has on patients are physical, however there are some psychological effects. Asher and Burton (2006) have found that studies has shown that pulmonary symptoms like shortness of breath are generally found more often in patients with AIS. This is because these curves are usually larger. They found that this does not happen in patients with smaller curves. Along with spinal deformity, patients may also have skeletal abnormalities. Skeletal muscle abnormalities in patients with AIS include muscle spindle, muscle fiber morphology, histochemistry, electromyography, sarcolemma abnormalities, calcium, copper and zinc concentrations, and platelets, all of which are related to asymmetrical muscle loading (Machida, 1999). According to Weinstein et al., (2008), AIS affects self image in that patients perceive themselves as less healthy and unable to participate in certain activities. Studies have shown that there are almost no differences in scoliotic people and people with straight spines in their ability to undergo activities or in quality of life. If left untreated, AIS can have serious effects. Outcomes of untreated scoliosis can include progression, back pain, cardiopulmonary issues, and psychosocial issues, according to Weinstein et al. (2008). Patients with smaller curves may only experience some of these
Causes for some types of …show more content…
When the curve is larger, the girl to boy ratio is ten to one. With smaller curves, the girl to boy ratio is also smaller at two to one (Rinksy and Gamble, 1988). According to Rinksy and Gamble (1988), the four major curvature patterns are consistent with single thoracic curves to the right at ninety percent, single lumbar curves to the left at seventy percent, thoracolumbar curves to the left at eighty percent, and double major curves are right and left thoracic and lumbar respectively, at ninety percent. Most of the effects AIS has on patients are physical, however there are some psychological effects. Asher and Burton (2006) have found that studies has shown that pulmonary symptoms like shortness of breath are generally found more often in patients with AIS. This is because these curves are usually larger. They found that this does not happen in patients with smaller curves. Along with spinal deformity, patients may also have skeletal abnormalities. Skeletal muscle abnormalities in patients with AIS include muscle spindle, muscle fiber morphology, histochemistry, electromyography, sarcolemma abnormalities, calcium, copper and zinc concentrations, and platelets, all of which are related to asymmetrical muscle loading (Machida, 1999). According to Weinstein et al., (2008), AIS affects self image in that patients perceive themselves as less healthy and unable to participate in certain activities. Studies have shown that there are almost no differences in scoliotic people and people with straight spines in their ability to undergo activities or in quality of life. If left untreated, AIS can have serious effects. Outcomes of untreated scoliosis can include progression, back pain, cardiopulmonary issues, and psychosocial issues, according to Weinstein et al. (2008). Patients with smaller curves may only experience some of these