Exam 2 Scoliosis Part 1 Flashcards
T/F: Scoliosis affects 5 to 7 million people worldwide.
False; 5-7 million in US alone
While scoliosis can begin at any age, when is it most likely to develop?
between the ages of 10-15
Who is more affected by scoliosis, girls or boys?
girls
T/F: Scoliosis can be inherited, so kids whose parents or siblings have it should be evaluated as well.
True
T/F: lateral curves of less than 10 degrees are considered scoliosis.
False; often just postural changes when less than 10 degrees
If a lateral curve is greater than 10 degrees and accompanied by vertebral rotation, what is it called?
scoliosis
How often is scoliosis idiopathic?
more than 80% of the time
Which type of scoliosis is often caused by some postural problem, muscle spasm, or leg-length inequality, functional or structural?
functional scoliosis, which can be addressed
Which type of scoliosis does not reduce with postural maneuvers, functional or structural?
structural scoliosis (bony distortion)
T/F: Both structural and functional scoliosis can be idiopathic or have a clear underlying cause.
True
What are the 3 most common secondary causes for scoliosis?
inherited connective tissue disorders,
neurologic disorders,
and musculoskeletal disorders
T/F: 80% of people with scoliosis have curves of less than 15 degrees, which are usually not detectable to the untrained eye.
False; less than 20 degrees
T/F: In growing children and adolescents, mild curvatures can worsen quite rapidly by 10 degrees or more in only a few months.
True
T/F: Idiopathic scoliosis is present in 2-4% of kids aged 10-16.
True
T/F: There are just as many boys with small curves (less than 10 degrees) as girls.
True, but when the curves are greater than 30 degrees the ratio is 10:1 (girls)
Who is more likely to have their scoliosis progress and to require treatment, boys or girls?
girls, especially before their first menstrual period, even more in the 12 months before their 1st period
T/F: the greater the scoliotic curve, the greater the risk for the curve to increase.
True
T/F: A person with a scoliosis curve of 10 -19 degrees is at a very high risk for curve progression.
False; they are at a low to moderate risk (slide 9)
T/F: A person with a curve of greater than 29 degrees is at a very high risk for curve progression.
True
T/F: Patients with scoliosis typically have a significantly higher amount of back pain.
False
T/F: Curves in untreated adolescents with curves less than 30 degrees at time of bony maturity are unlikely to progress.
True
T/F: Curves greater than 50 degrees at maturity progress 1 degree per year.
True
T/F: Up to 19% of females with curves greater than 40 degrees have significant psychological illness.
True
How great does the scoliotic curve have to be before life-threatening effects take place on pulmonary function?
greater than 100 degrees
What is the most common treatment option for scoliosis?
careful observation
In addition to careful observation, what other treatments are common for scoliosis?
bracing, surgery, and chiropractic adjustments
How bad does the curve typically have to be for surgery to be recommended?
greater than 45 degrees
When is bracing recommended for patients with scoliosis?
When patients have not reached skeletal maturity and have curves between 25-45 degrees
T/F: Chiropractic adjustments alone have NOT been shown to consistently reduce scoliosis.
True, exercises in addition to adjustments may be of help
T/F: According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, there is “insufficient evidence” to recommend for or against routine screening of asymptomatic adolescents for idiopathic scoliosis.
True
Who recommends more adolescent screenings, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons or the American Academy of Pediactrics?
Pediatrics
What is the name of the test where the patient is asked to lean forward with his or her feet together and bend 90 degrees at the waist?
Adam’s forward bend test
T/F: during Adam’s forward bend test, the examiner can easily view ANY asymmetry of the trunk or any abnormal spinal curvatures.
True
