Is Your Back Pain Trying To Tell You Something? 3 Scoliosis Signs To Know
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Scoliosis is a chronic condition in which your spine is more curved in places than what is typical. Light scoliosis affects approximately 3% of the population, and it often includes any notable symptoms other than atypical spinal curvature. However, some people with scoliosis may have symptoms such as unequal posture, pain in the back or shoulders and weakness in their backs or legs.
No spine is perfectly straight, but people with scoliosis have a larger curvature than people without scoliosis, often more than 10 degrees. These curves are called S or Curves C curves, depending on their shape.
Many people with light scoliosis have no symptoms apart from this visible vertebral curve, but some may have an uneven posture which is perceptible in several other ways.
Symptoms of atypical posture by scoliosis may include:
- One shoulder or hip higher than the other
- An omoplate that exceeds more on one side
- One side of the rib cage is higher than the other
- The head that does not appear centered on your spine
- A body that seems to bend on one side
- Difference in length of your legs
A health care provider may notice these symptoms during a physical exam, either while you stand the right, or while you are leaning forward with your rounded back as if you were trying to touch your toes.
Zoe Hansen illustration for health
Scoliosis may be uncomfortable to stand up or sit for prolonged periods. Some people with scoliosis experience pain, legs or shoulders. In fact, about 25% of children with scoliosis report back pain, which may include back pain and leg pain. You can also have chest pain, if your rib cage is affected by the curvature of your spine.
A particular type of scoliosis, called degenerative scoliosis, affects the elderly. Many people with degenerative scoliosis report pain, including back pain, leg pain, muscle fatigue and pain or nervous sensitivity.
Although posture anomalies and back pain is the most common symptoms of scoliosis, other rarer symptoms can also occur, especially if your scoliosis is more moderate or severe. For example, some people with more advanced forms of scoliosis have breathing difficulties because their vertebral curvature compresses or changes the size of their chest. This is called chest insufficiency syndrome (ITs).
Other symptoms may also be more likely if another state of health causes your scoliosis. These include:
- Congenital scoliosis: Some people are born with scoliosis due to defects in the way their spine have formed in the uterus. Children born with congenital scoliosis can also have problems with the functioning of some of their organs, including their kidneys, hearts and intestines.
- Neuromuscular conditions: The conditions that affect nerves and muscles, such as brain paralysis and spina bifida, can cause scoliosis. Symptoms may include bad balance, discomfort when seated and tis.
- Neurofibromatosis: It is a genetic disorder that causes neurofibromes, a type of benign (non -cancerous) tumor which can cause scoliosis when it is on your spine. Vertebral neurofibromes can put pressure on your spinal cord, causing neurological symptoms such as numbness, weakness or paralysis. This can also affect your intestine and bladder control.
- Genetic syndromes: Genetic tissue genetic disorders, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause scoliosis. In addition to the typical symptoms of scoliosis, these syndromes can cause excessive flexibility in the joints or abnormally long limbs.
Scoliosis is generally not an emergency medical situation. However, you should always make an appointment with a health care provider if you suspect that you or your child may have scoliosis.
If you notice physical symptoms of scoliosis, such as an unequal posture, back pain, weakness, poor coordination or balance, search for medical care is a good idea. Your supplier can assess your case, help treat the curvature of your spine, help relieve symptoms such as pain or refer to a specialist, if necessary.
Scoliosis is the medical term for an atypical curved spine. Everyone’s spine curves, but people with scoliosis have one or two important curves that are 10 degrees or more alignment.
In most cases, scoliosis is light, occurs in adolescence during puberty and has no cause or clear symptoms. In other cases, you may experience physical symptoms such as unequal posture, back pain, poor coordination or balance and breathing difficulties (in serious cases). Your symptoms can also depend on the question of whether an underlying cause has led to scoliosis.



