Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
CareersFind a DoctorMake an AppointmentDepartmentsDirections & ParkingGiftsContact Us



 

Home Cooking Classes Screenings Seminars Membership BestHealth Kids
BestHealth Home > Health Encyclopedia > Disease Reference > Disease

DiseaseInjuryNutritionPoisonSpecial TopicsSurgerySymptomsTest

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Scoliosis
Scoliosis		Skeletal spine
Skeletal spine		Scoliosis
Scoliosis		Spinal curves
Spinal curves		Forward bend test
Forward bend test
 
Signs of scoliosis
Signs of scoliosis		Scoliosis brace
Scoliosis brace		Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Scoliosis   (Spanish Version)  

Definition:

Scoliosis is a curving of the spine. The spine curves away from the middle or sideways.



Alternative Names:

Spinal curvature; Kyphoscoliosis



Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

There are three general causes of scoliosis:

  • Congenital (present at birth) scoliosis is due to a problem with the formation of the spine bones (vertebrae) or fused ribs during development in the womb or early in life.
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by problems such as poor muscle control or muscle weakness, or paralysis due to diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.
  • Idiopathic scoliosis is scoliosis of unknown cause. Idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents is the most common type.

Some people may be prone to curving of the spine. Most cases occur in girls. Curves generally worsen during growth spurts. Scoliosis in infants and young children are less common, and commonly affect boys and girls equally.



References:

Hedequist DJ. Surgical treatment of congenital scoliosis. Orthop Clin North Am. 2007;38(4):497-509, vi.

Lonner, B. S. Emerging minimally invasive technologies for the management of scoliosis. Orthop Clin North Am. 2007;38(3): 431-440.
Review Date: 9/17/2009
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

BestHealth at Hanes Mall
Location
BestHealth is located in Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem, NC), on the upper level between Belk and JCPenney, and across from the Mall branch of the U.S. Post Office.
Phone: (336) 713-BEST (713-2378)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, closed

Copyright: Wake Forest University School of Medicine and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. All rights reserved.

Medical Center Boulevard

Winston-Salem, NC 27157

The information on this Website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem or a health-related question, consult your physician or call Health On-Call at 336-716-2255 or 1-800-446-2255.

Send Feedback | Site Index


Last Modified: