Scoliosis is an ailment that affects the spine. The article “Assessment and Treatment of Scoliosis” focuses on three main questions. How should the GP assess a child with scoliosis? What is the natural history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis? What is likely to happen to patients referred to orthopedic surgeons (Assessment, 2002)? After learning about the causes, history, and about referrals to orthopedic surgeons the article focuses on treatment options. The next step of the article is the clinical focus. Overall, this article gives us clear and important information on scoliosis. First of all, scoliosis refers to a lateral curvature of the spine (Assessment, 2002). When assessing if a child has scoliosis examination is the key
…show more content…
There is infantile idiopathic scoliosis that affects children at birth and up to three months, but this article focuses more on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This type can develop between the onset of puberty, varying with each child, to the end of skeletal growth. Since spinal deformity is not usually a reported condition, it is hard to get an accurate account on how many children suffer from it. One reason for this is because doctors ignore curved spines unless it is seven degrees or more. A fact that is known to us is that girls are more likely to be affected by a curved spine then boys. To be sure it is a good idea to examine a child around the age of 10 or even eleven. Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis can be determined with the help of an MRI because of an organic pathology that points to a possible aetiology, such as spina bifida. However, it is important to note that there is not any evidence to support a single gene defect, which means it is hard to determine who could develop scoliosis. The curve in the spine will continue to grow until the affected person reaches the point of spinal maturity, which again varies with each person. However, there is always an exception and some patients my experience curve growth even after skeletal maturity is reached. Basically a person diagnosed with scoliosis has to just wait and see, maybe it will require surgery or maybe it will not. While this …show more content…
One possible treatment is wearing a brace, especially if one wants to try to avoid surgery. However, it is important to note that there is controversy among phycians as to whether or not wearing a brace will actually help with scoliosis. This is the reason why most children will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon and in progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis it is more than likely necessary. The most appropriate consultant to treat a scoliotic patient would be an active member of the British Scoliosis Society (BSS) (Assessment, 2002). The degree of risks with this surgery is very high and severe, which makes some surgeons wonder if they should perform it all at. The patient could develop neurological problems and even paraplegia. Each procedure is tailored to each patient with either an anterior or posterior fusion approach. The type of operating techniques and equipment are constantly improving, which is great news. Once the spine has been fused, the range of movement is significantly reduced and the rib hump will be reduced but not obliterated (Assessment,
There is infantile idiopathic scoliosis that affects children at birth and up to three months, but this article focuses more on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This type can develop between the onset of puberty, varying with each child, to the end of skeletal growth. Since spinal deformity is not usually a reported condition, it is hard to get an accurate account on how many children suffer from it. One reason for this is because doctors ignore curved spines unless it is seven degrees or more. A fact that is known to us is that girls are more likely to be affected by a curved spine then boys. To be sure it is a good idea to examine a child around the age of 10 or even eleven. Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis can be determined with the help of an MRI because of an organic pathology that points to a possible aetiology, such as spina bifida. However, it is important to note that there is not any evidence to support a single gene defect, which means it is hard to determine who could develop scoliosis. The curve in the spine will continue to grow until the affected person reaches the point of spinal maturity, which again varies with each person. However, there is always an exception and some patients my experience curve growth even after skeletal maturity is reached. Basically a person diagnosed with scoliosis has to just wait and see, maybe it will require surgery or maybe it will not. While this …show more content…
One possible treatment is wearing a brace, especially if one wants to try to avoid surgery. However, it is important to note that there is controversy among phycians as to whether or not wearing a brace will actually help with scoliosis. This is the reason why most children will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon and in progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis it is more than likely necessary. The most appropriate consultant to treat a scoliotic patient would be an active member of the British Scoliosis Society (BSS) (Assessment, 2002). The degree of risks with this surgery is very high and severe, which makes some surgeons wonder if they should perform it all at. The patient could develop neurological problems and even paraplegia. Each procedure is tailored to each patient with either an anterior or posterior fusion approach. The type of operating techniques and equipment are constantly improving, which is great news. Once the spine has been fused, the range of movement is significantly reduced and the rib hump will be reduced but not obliterated (Assessment,