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| However to me, it's more than a definition. It's certainly much more than just a physical deformaity. It affects different people in different ways, physically and emotionally. It can be hidden, to very obvious. It tends to occur more in girls than in boys. |
| The dictionary definition for Scoliosis {sko-lee-oh-sis): A lateral curvature of the spine. It is the greek word for 'crooked' and is often referred as an 'S shape' side to side curve of the spine. The most common form of Scoliosis is believed to be 'idiopathic' (meaning unknown). The spinal column twists and rotates creating an uneven shoulder and a rib hump. This can lead to discomfort and even breathing problems as the heart and lungs become compressed. |
| Idiopathic scoliosis is considered in three age groups: Infantile--from birth to three years of age, juvenile--from greater than three years of age through nine years of age and, adolescent from 10-18 years of age. The adolescent type is the most common and represents about 80% of this type of scoliosis. In addition to the amount of spinal deformity, the patient's physiological age is assessed, i.e., is growth completed or is there more potential spinal growth. |
| Spinal deformity is due to a myriad of causes. Scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis are descriptive and not diagnostic terms and efforts must be made to establish the deformity's cause. |
| 1. Adolescent scoliosis: Lateral spinal curvature that appears before the onset of puberty and before skeletal maturity. 2. Adult scoliosis: Scoliosis of any cause which is present after skeletal maturity. 3. Compensatory curve: In spinal deformity, a secondary curve located above or below the structural curvature, which develops in order to maintain normal body alignment. 4. Congenital scoliosis: Scoliosis due to bony abnormalities of the spine present at birth. These anomalies are classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or failure of segmentation. 5. Decompensation in scoliosis: This refers to loss of spinal balance when the thoracic cage is not centered over the pelvis. 6. Double curve: Two lateral curvatures (scoliosis) in the same spine. Double major curve describes a scoliosis in which there are two structural curves which are usually of equal size. Double thoracic curve a scoliosis with a structural upper thoracic curve, as well as a larger, more deforming lower thoracic curve, and a relatively nonstructural lumbar curve. 7. Hysterical scoliosis: A non-structural deformity of the spine that develops as a manifestation of a psychological disorder. 8. Idiopathic scoliosis: A structural spinal curvature for which cause has not been established. 9. Inclinometer an instrument used to measure the angle of thoracic prominence, referred to as angle of trunk rotation (ATR). 10. Infantile scoliosis: A curvature of the spine that develops before three years of age. 11. Juvenile scoliosis: Scoliosis developing between the ages of three and ten years. 12. Kyphoscoliosis: A structural scoliosis associated with increased roundback. 13. Kyphosis: A posterior convex angulation of the spine as evaluated on a side view of the spine. Contrast to lordosis. 14. Lordoscoliosis: A lateral curvature of the spine associated with increased swayback. 15. Lordosis: An anterior angulation of the spine in the sagittal plane. Contrast to kyphosis. 16. Lumbar curve: A spinal curvature whose apex is between the first and fourth lumbar vertebrae (also known as lumbar scoliosis). 17. Lumbosacral curve: A lateral curvature with its apex at the fifth lumbar vertebra or below (also known as lumbosacral scoliosis). 18. Neuromuscular scoliosis: A form of scoliosis caused by a neurologic disorder of the central nervous system or muscle. 19. Nonstructural curve: Description of a spinal curvature or scoliosis that does not have fixed residual deformity. 20. Posterior fusion: A technique of stabilizing two or more vertebra by bone grafting. 21. Primary curve: The first or earliest curve to appear. 22. Scoliosis: Lateral deviation of the normal vertical line of the spine which, when measured by X-ray, is greater than ten degrees. Scoliosis consists of a lateral curvature of the spine with rotation of the vertebrae within the curve. 23. Structural curve: A segment of the spine that has fixed lateral curvature. 24. Thoracic curvature: Any spinal curvature in which the apex of the curve is between the second and eleventh thoracic vertebrae. 25. Thoracolumbar curve: Any curvature that has its apex at the twelfth thoracic or first lumbar vertebra. 26. Thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO): A type of brace incorporating the thoracic and lumbar spine. |
| A few definitions that are needed when talking about scoliosis. |
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