Do I Have Scoliosis?

Do you have a visible curve in your back?

Do you have uneven shoulders or hips?

Does one shoulder blade look bigger than another?

Have you noticed that your head is not centered directly above your pelvis?

Do your ribs stick out farther on one side of your body than the other?

Do you have an uneven waist?

Do your whole body lean to one side?

Do you have low back pain or back stiffness?

Has the appearance or texture of the skin covering your spine changed (you have holes, hair spots, color abnormalities)?

Do you have a family history of scoliosis?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have scoliosis. Scoliosis is a spine deformity that is characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It occurs most often in childhood or early adolescence. In most cases, scoliosis is a mild disorder, while only occasionally the condition can progressively worsen over time. It affects boys and girls equally, but girls more often suffer from more severe forms of scoliosis that require treatment. The exact cause is not known. Since scoliosis tends to run in families, it is considered that a combination of certain hereditary and environmental factors is necessary for the development of the disease.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have scoliosis. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which your spine has an abnormal sideways curve. Scoliosis can be classified as: idiopathic, congenital or neuromuscular. Idiopathic scoliosis is of unknown cause and accounts for about 80 percent of all cases. Congenital scoliosis occurs in people with a congenital defect of the spinal vertebrae, while neuromuscular scoliosis is a consequence of a neurological or muscular disease (cerebral palsy, spinal cord trauma, or muscular dystrophy). A diagnosis is based on a physical examination and imaging tests that include an X-ray, a spinal radiography, CT scan or MRI.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have scoliosis. Scoliosis is a spine deformity in which your spine is abnormally curved to the left, right or both. Doctors often use the letters "S" and "C" to describe the pathological curvature of the spine. Scoliosis affects about 2 to 3 percent of the population in the United States. Treatment depends on the type and severity of scoliosis. It includes regular monitoring, braces and surgical interventions. In adults with scoliosis, an X-ray is usually recommended once every five years. Medical checkups should be more frequent if the disease progressively worsens.