PRELIMS: Scoliosis Flashcards
Q1: What is scoliosis?
A: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity characterized by lateral curvature of the spine of ≥10° (Cobb angle), often accompanied by vertebral rotation.
Q2: What are the types of scoliosis?
Idiopathic Scoliosis – Most common (80%), unknown cause.
Congenital Scoliosis – Due to vertebral malformations present at birth.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis – Associated with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
Degenerative Scoliosis – Occurs in older adults due to disc degeneration.
Syndromic Scoliosis – Linked with genetic syndromes like Marfan’s or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Q3: What is the pathophysiology of scoliosis?
The exact mechanism is unclear, but it involves:
Asymmetric vertebral growth.
Muscle imbalance.
Neurological or connective tissue dysfunction.
Genetic predisposition.
Q4: Which parts of the spine are commonly affected?
A: Thoracic (T7-T9) and thoracolumbar regions are most affected.
Q7: What are the risk factors for scoliosis?
Family history.
Female gender (higher risk of progression).
Age (adolescence is a peak period).
Connective tissue disorders.
Q5: What is vertebral rotation in scoliosis?
A: It refers to the twisting of vertebrae along the vertical axis, leading to rib hump deformity.
Q
Q6: What are common signs of scoliosis?
Uneven shoulders.
Rib hump (visible when bending forward).
Asymmetrical waist or hip elevation.
Visible spinal curvature.
Back pain (more common in adults).
Q8: How common is scoliosis?
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects 2–3% of children aged 10–16.
Girls have a 10× higher risk of curve progression requiring treatment.
Adult degenerative scoliosis prevalence is 30–50% in individuals >50 years.
Q12: What are the treatment options for scoliosis?
Observation – Curves <20° with no progression.
Bracing – For curves 20°–40° in growing children.
Physical Therapy – Schroth method, core strengthening.
Surgical Correction – For curves >40°–50° (spinal fusion, rod placement).
Q9: What physical exam tests are used for scoliosis?
Adam’s Forward Bend Test – Detects rib hump or asymmetric spinal contour.
Scoliometer Measurement – Measures trunk rotation.
Q10: What imaging is used for scoliosis?
X-ray – Gold standard (Cobb angle measurement).
MRI – Used for neurological involvement.
CT Scan – Assesses bony abnormalities.
Q11: What are common outcome measures for scoliosis?
Impairment-based measures:
Cobb angle.
Trunk rotation (Scoliometer).
Function-based measures:
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22).
Quality of Life measures:
SF-36.
SRS-22r.
Q14: What factors influence scoliosis progression?
Age (younger = higher progression risk).
Gender (females progress faster).
Curve magnitude (Cobb angle >30° is likely to worsen).
Q13: What exercises help scoliosis?
Schroth Method: Postural correction, breathing exercises.
Core stabilization: Planks, bird-dog exercise.
Stretching: Side bends, spinal mobilization.
- What is the minimum Cobb angle for diagnosing scoliosis?
10°
Q15: Can scoliosis be prevented?
A: No, but early detection and treatment can slow progression.
What is the most common type of scoliosis?
IDIOPATHIC
