Scoliosis
Scoliosis, still a little-known condition, is a spinal disease that affects from 2 to 30 percent of the population, young and old alike. Causes and symptom development differ according to age group.
Scoliosis is a disease of the neuromusculoskeletal system that involves all three spatial planes and results in a progressive curving and twisting of the spine, which takes on a helical shape. Often described as an S-shaped distortion, in 3D, the spine more accurately resembles a spiral staircase. On a postero-anterior x-ray, the spine will have a Cobb angle exceeding 10°. In severe cases of scoliosis, the entire musculoskeletal system becomes distorted, not just the spine.
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Skeleton distorted throughout |
Ideal spine seen from behind |
Young girl suffering from scoliosis, seen from behind |
X-ray of the same patient |
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Rear view Side view
Scoliosis affects patients of all ages.
- Infantile: diagnosed before the age of 3.
- Juvenile: diagnosed between the ages 4 and 10.
- Adolescent: appearing between the onset of puberty and skeletal maturation, approximately between the ages 10 and 16.
- Adult: diagnosed after skeletal maturation.
