Scoliosis

Question 1

How many people in the US are affected by scoliosis?

Answer 1

5-7 million

Question 2

During what age range does scoliosis most commonly develop?

Answer 2

10-15

Question 3

What is the gender bias associated with scoliosis?

Answer 3

Females

Question 4

Can scoliosis be hereditary?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

How large of a curve is necessary to be indicative of scoliosis?

Answer 5

Greater than 10 degrees

Question 6

What is a lateral curvature of the spine that is less than 10 degrees called?

Answer 6

Postural change

Question 7

What kind of scoliosis is the most common?

Answer 7

Right thoracic

Question 8

What is the cause of more than 80% of scoliosis cases?

Answer 8

Idiopathic

Question 9

What type of scoliosis is most likely to benefit from chiropractic treatment?

Answer 9

Functional scoliosis (postural problem)

Question 10

What type of scoliosis is least likely to benefit from chiropractic treatment?

Answer 10

Structural scoliosis (bony distortion)

Question 11

How can scoliosis decreased the quality of life?

Answer 11

Pain

Decreased activity, lung and heart function, and self-esteem

Question 12

80% of people with scoliosis have curves less than what amount?

Answer 12

20 degrees (usually not detectable to the untrained eye)

Question 13

At what age can mild curvatures progress quite rapidly by 10 degrees or more?

Answer 13

Growing childhood or adolescence

Question 14

What population is at the highest risk for requiring treatment for scoliosis?

Answer 14

Young girls who have scoliosis of greater than 25 degrees but who have not yet had their first menstrual period

Question 15

What is the male to female ratio of scoliosis curves less than 10 degrees? Greater than 30 degrees?

Answer 15

Less than 10 = equal

Greater than 30 = 10:1 females

Question 16

What is the scale used to evaluate scoliosis curve growth potential?

Answer 16

Risser grade (0-4)

Question 17

What are the levels for Risser grades?

Answer 17

1 = 25% ossified
2 = 50% ossified 
3 = 75% ossified
4 = 100% ossified
5 = skeletal maturity

Question 18

What is the difference between level 4 of 100% ossification and level 5 of skeletal maturity on the Risser grade scale?

Answer 18

Secondary ossification occurs during puberty, but fusion occurs around 25-30 years of age

Question 19

Is back pain significantly higher in patients with scoliosis?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

Psychological illness is present in females with scoliosis at what curve degree?

Answer 20

Greater than 40 degrees (19%)

Question 21

At what scoliotic curve degree do life-threatening effects on pulmonary function occur?

Answer 21

Greater than 100 degrees

Question 22

What is the most common treatment option for scoliosis?

Answer 22

Careful observation (most cases do not progress or cause problems)

Question 23

What are the three treatment options for scoliosis?

Answer 23

1 Careful observation
2 Bracing
3 Surgery

Question 24

Bracing as a treatment for scoliosis is generally reserved for what population?

Answer 24

Kids who have no reached skeletal maturity and have curves between 25-45 degrees

Question 25

When is surgery recommended as a treatment for scoliosis?

Answer 25

When curves are greater than 45 degrees AND progressive OR when scoliosis affects function of heart, lungs, or vital organs

Question 26

What is the current research involved scoliosis and chiropractic care?

Answer 26

No treatment alone has been shown consistently to reduce scoliosis, but chiropractic has not been shown to worsen the patient

Question 27

Why have standard scoliosis screenings at schools diminished compared to previous years?

Answer 27

Many unnecessary referrals of adolescents with minimal curvatures

Question 28

What is the name of the test used to examine for scoliosis where the patient is asked to lean forward and bend 90 degrees at the waist with his or her feet together?

Answer 28

Adam's forward bend test

Question 29

What are some signs of scoliosis?

Answer 29

``` 1 prominent shoulder blade 2 shoulders different heights 3 one raise, prominent hip 4 rib cages different heights 5 uneven waist 6 changes in skin overlying spine 7 body lean to one side ```

Question 30

What method is used to identify scoliosis on X-ray using intersecting lines drawn perpendicular to the top of the superior vertebrae and bottom of the inferior vertebrae of the curve?

Answer 30

Cobb method

Question 31

What is the most common brace used as treatment for scoliosis?

Answer 31

Boston brace (thoraco-lumbar-sacral orthosis)

Question 32

What is the name of the brace for scoliosis that is similar to the Boston brace but also has a neck ring?

Answer 32

Milwaukee brace (CTLSO)

Question 33

What is the success rate of brace treatment for scoliosis for halting curve progression?

Answer 33

74%

Question 34

Scoliosis braces are usually worn until the patient reaches what Risser grade?

Answer 34

4 or 5

Question 35

How many hours per day must a brace for scoliosis be worn to lead to the best change of preventing curve progression?

Answer 35

16

Question 36

Curve of what degree in growing children require a spinal fusion as therapy?

Answer 36

Greater than 40 degrees

Question 37

A patient with scoliosis is considered a surgical candidate when they have reached what degree of curvature?

Answer 37

45 degrees

Question 38

What is the negative visible sign after spinal surgery for scoliosis?

Answer 38

Loss of kyphosis and/or lumbar lordosis (flat back syndrome)

Question 39

Usually 5-7 years post scoliosis corrective surgery, between 1/5-1/3 of patients will experience what symptoms?

Answer 39

Low back pain

Question 40

In the later years following corrective surgery for scoliosis, what difficulty can occur?

Answer 40

Discs may collapse making it difficult to stand erect

Question 41

What is the typical recovery time following scoliosis corrective surgery?

Answer 41

Out of hospital in 4-5 days, back at school/work in 2 weeks

Question 42

Can those who have had corrective surgery for scoliosis return to play sports?

Answer 42

Yes, after 9-12 months (contact sports should be avoided)

Question 43

Will the majority of those with scoliosis require medical intervention?

Answer 43

No (90% will not)