Questions to Ponder

What is Scoliosis?
What is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)?
How do I know if I have AIS?
Is AIS caused by not drinking enough milk or

poor posture?
Are girls more likely to have scoliosis than
boys?
Is AIS hereditary?
What are the treatment options for AIS?

by
Tosha S. Rhea

Overview
What is Scoliosis
Prevalence of Scoliosis
Adolescent Idiopathic

Scoliosis (AIS)
Pedigree Chart
Symptoms of AIS
AIS Testing
AIS Treatment
Observation
Bracing
Surgery
Concluding Thoughts

What is
Scoliosis?
An abnormal

lateral curve
to the
vertebral
column
greater than
10
Many different
forms of
scoliosis

Straight Spine
-has 0 curve

Curvature of the

Spine
-has a curve that is
between 0 and 10

Scoliosis of the Spine

-has a curve that is

greater than 10

Prevalence of
Curvature/Scoliosis
Curves 10 or less, 3-

5 out of 1,000 people

Curves less than 20

is equal in males and

females

Overall, 2% of

females and 0.5%

of males are
affected by scoliosis

Adolescent Idiopathic
Scoliosis (AIS)
Side-to-side curve
Greater than 10
Twisting of the spinal

column
Spine resembles a
C
or S
Patients are between
10 and 18 years

Curve gets larger

during rapid growth

Otherwise, patients
are healthy
No known cause
30% have some
family history
Genetic connection

Pedigree Chart with Multiple Family

Members affected with AIS
Squares - Males
Circles
Females

Suggests a
dominant
mode of
inheritance

Closed symbols
represent affected
individuals

Symptoms of Scoliosis
The body may tilt to
one side

One shoulder may

appear higher
One side of
the rib cage
may
appear
higher

Waist may
appear uneven
or hips elevated

One leg may

appear shorter
than the other

AIS Testing
Adams Forward
Bend
This test involves the
student bending forward
with arms stretched
downward toward the
floor and knees straight.
This angle most clearly
shows any asymmetry in
the spine and/or trunk.
Often preformed in school
starting in the fifth grade.

X-ray
This procedure is
needed to confirm the
AIS diagnosis, to check
the magnitude of the
curve, and to check the
skeletal maturity of the
patient. This will
influence the treatment
decisions.

AIS
Treatment
Observati
on
Bracing
Surgery

Observation
Consider patients age

(girls grow rapidly until age 14, boys until age 16)
Consider status of females 1st menstrual period

(growth slows down)

Consider x-ray of the spine and pelvis

(shows skeletal maturity on a scale of 0 to 5)

Bracing
Used with curves between 25 and 40

during the growth phase

Designed to each patients shape
Prevents curve progression
Worn under clothes
Worn all day or just at night
Worn until growth of the spine has

stopped

Surgery Treatment
with Spinal Fusion
Harrington Method
Fusion with one rod

hooked to the spine

Obsolete flatback
Increase wear and tear
Early onset of arthritis
Degeneration of discs
Muscle stiffness
Reliance of painkillers
Further surgery required
Disability

Contrel-Dubousset
Instrument
Fusion with a combination of

two rods, screws, hooks, and

wires
Modern
Low rate of failure
5-7 Day hospital stay
3-4 Weeks out of school
6 Month recovery time
For more information go to
Scoliosis Research Society
(SRS)

Concluding Thoughts
Scoliosis occurs relatively frequently in the general
population. Its frequency depends upon the
magnitude of the curve of the spine. Scoliosis of
greater than 25 degrees occurs in many people all
around the world. However, 60% of curvatures in
rapidly growing pre-pubertal children will progress.
Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is
not necessary until the fifth grade, and beyond that
point, boys and girls should have an examination
every 6-9 months. It is important to know what to
do if a patient already has scoliosis, and what
treatment options are available.

Resources
www.srs.org
www.ejbjs.org
www.journals.lww.com/corr/Abstract/2000/

03000/Idiopathic_Scoliosis
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoliosis