Scoliosis

Introduction: Scoliosis

Scoliosis: Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the ... more about Scoliosis.

Scoliosis: Sideways curvature of the spine. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Scoliosis is available below.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

• Spinal curvature
• Sideways curvature of the spine
• Sideways body posture
• One shoulder raised higher than the other
• Clothes not hanging properly

See full list of 7 symptoms of Scoliosis

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Scoliosis:

• Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
  • Home Fever Tests
  • Home Ear Infection Tests
  • Home Flu Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about Scoliosis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Scoliosis

• Physical exam
• X-rays
• Curve measurement

Read more about tests for Scoliosis

Wrongly Diagnosed with Scoliosis?

• Misdiagnosis of Scoliosis
• Failure to diagnose Scoliosis
• Underlying causes of Scoliosis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Failure to diagnose Scoliosis

Misdiagnosis and Scoliosis

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Scoliosis

Causes of Scoliosis

• Conditions that may underly Nonstructural scoliosis:
  • Leg length
  • Muscle spasms
  • Appendicitis
• Conditions that may underly structural scoliosis:

See full list of 22 causes of Scoliosis

More information about causes of Scoliosis:

• Underlying causes of Scoliosis
• Scoliosis as a complication caused by other conditions
• Scoliosis as a symptom

Treatments for Scoliosis

• Watchful waiting - mild conditions may require no treatment other than monitoring for worsening.
• Treatment of any underlying cause of scoliosis
• Bracing
  • Spinal cast
  • Spinal brace

See full list of 15 treatments for Scoliosis

Videos for Scoliosis

Patient Surveys for Scoliosis

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Scoliosis
  Take Survey  View Results

Reseach about Scoliosis

Visit our research pages for current research about Scoliosis treatments.

Clinical Trials for Scoliosis

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Scoliosis include:

• Influence of Leg Length Discrepancy on the Spinal Shape and Biomechanics in Functional and Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Effects of Lateral Trunk Support on Spinal Alignment in Spinal Cord Injured Persons - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Test-Retest Reliability of Pulmonary Function Tests in Patients With Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Comparing Two Instrumentation Systems for the Treatment of Adolescent Scoliosis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• HDAC Activity in Peripheral Skeletal Muscle in COPD - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

See full list of 9 Clinical Trials for Scoliosis

Statistics for Scoliosis

• Medical statistics for Scoliosis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Scoliosis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Scoliosis
• Society statistics for Scoliosis

Types of Scoliosis

• Types of scoliosis based on age:
  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - most common type; over 10 years old.
  • Infantile idiopathic scoliosis - when aged under 3.
  • Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis - occurs ages 3-10
• Types of scoliosis based on the cause of scoliosis:

See full list of 11 Types of Scoliosis

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Scoliosis

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Scoliosis

See all guides and ebooks for Scoliosis

Stories from Users Related to Scoliosis

• Scoliosis detected too late
• scoliosis
• leftward lumbar scoliosis with mild dorsal scoliosis

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Scoliosis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Some people who have scoliosis require treatment. Other people, who have milder curves, may only need to visit their doctor for periodic observation. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers about Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents: NIAMS)

Definitions of Scoliosis:

An appreciable lateral deviation in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. (Dorland, 27th ed) - (Source - Diseases Database)

An abnormal lateral curve to the vertebral column - (Source - WordNet 2.1)