One of the things that many people don’t know about scoliosis is that there are three main scoliosis causes that can explain the onset of an abnormality in the curvature of the spine. Most people associate scoliosis with children since this is the age group that is most commonly affected by the condition, but the truth is that scoliosis can conceivably develop in the spines of people of all ages. Generally speaking, there are three types of scoliosis that you should know about: congenital scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, and degenerative scoliosis. But before we get to discussing the main types of this condition, it can be helpful to know what, exactly, scoliosis is.

In its simplest terms, scoliosis refers to the presence of an abnormal curvature in the spine. In layman’s terms, scoliosis causes the spine to curve from side to side, and an MRI or X-ray is usually used to accurately diagnose the condition. This can have a pronounced impact on an individual’s gait, cause uneven musculature in the body, affect the length of arms or legs, and even cause chronic back or neck pain and other symptoms of nerve compression.

With that said, here is a brief overview of the three main scoliosis causes:

– Congenital scoliosis – This is the type of scoliosis that most everyone is at least peripherally familiar with in a broad sense. Congenital scoliosis develops in the womb as a result of spinal bones not forming or fusing correctly. This condition can impact just about any region of the spine and is present in various degrees of severity. The specific cause of the condition isn’t fully understood but it is believed that it can be genetic or the result of environmental factors.

– Neuromuscular scoliosis – In some instances, the onset of a muscular or neurological disease can cause the spinal column to become abnormally deformed. Once again, the severity of this condition varies depending on the patient’s condition, prognosis, and various treatment options that might be recommended to manage the disease. Common examples of diseases that can cause this deformity are cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

– Degenerative scoliosis – This condition is perhaps the least recognized type of scoliosis because it is most common in individuals over the age of 65 and isn’t as easy to predict. As we grow older, our spinal anatomy naturally begins to deteriorate as a result of years of wear and tear. Degenerative scoliosis – or adult onset scoliosis – can be traced to a situation where the facet joints that normally connect adjacent vertebra become severely deteriorated, causing the spinal column to misalign.

As you can tell, these three scoliosis causes are very different, which is why a discussion of various treatments vary widely from scoliosis patient to patient. What’s more, scoliosis isn’t black and white. It is possible to have a relatively mild form of the condition, which will require one treatment approach, while other individuals might suffer from debilitating spinal deformity, which will warrant another approach. To learn more about these conditions and your various treatment options, speak with a specialist in your area.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient spine procedures that may provide relief from the symptoms that scoliosis causes in patients suffering from adult onset scoliosis.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient treatment options that are designed to potentially alleviate some of the symptoms that scoliosis causes. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/scoliosis/causes/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient spine procedures that may provide relief from the symptoms that scoliosis causes in patients suffering from adult onset scoliosis.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: scoliosis causes