07-23-2007, 04:42 AM
Screening:
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The simplest screening test is to ask the patient to bend and observe the back from behind to look for any deformity. X-ray of spine, AP and lateral are further useful to establish the diagnosis, rule out other structural deformities and to measure the Cobb’s angle (angle of curvature of scoliosis).
Rx;
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Treatment is aimed at controlling the curve progression. The available options are:
Careful observation with follow-up in patients with mild curve (< 20 degree). Scoliosis tends to progress till the skeletal growth is achieved so careful follow-up to assess the rate of progression of scoliosis is needed.
Bracing is needed if the initial curve at diagnosis is more than 30 degree or it shows more than 5 degrees of progression in follow-up studies of mild scoliosis.
For patients with curve between 20-30 degrees, the choice between observation and bracing should be made based on the presence of rotational deformity and positive family history in which case a more aggressive approach is recommended.
Surgery is generally needed for curves more than 40 degrees
at initial diagnosis.
-------------
The simplest screening test is to ask the patient to bend and observe the back from behind to look for any deformity. X-ray of spine, AP and lateral are further useful to establish the diagnosis, rule out other structural deformities and to measure the Cobb’s angle (angle of curvature of scoliosis).
Rx;
------
Treatment is aimed at controlling the curve progression. The available options are:
Careful observation with follow-up in patients with mild curve (< 20 degree). Scoliosis tends to progress till the skeletal growth is achieved so careful follow-up to assess the rate of progression of scoliosis is needed.
Bracing is needed if the initial curve at diagnosis is more than 30 degree or it shows more than 5 degrees of progression in follow-up studies of mild scoliosis.
For patients with curve between 20-30 degrees, the choice between observation and bracing should be made based on the presence of rotational deformity and positive family history in which case a more aggressive approach is recommended.
Surgery is generally needed for curves more than 40 degrees
at initial diagnosis.
