“India lacking early detection of Scoliosis”

MUMBAI, India - June 18, 2013 - PRLog -- A loss of the normal spinal alignment is referred to as a spinal deformity. Scoliosis essentially means a three dimensional deformity affecting the spine which causes the spine to be bent sideways. Spinal deformities could result from a variety of causes and in a majority of adolescents, the exact cause is unknown (idiopathic). Other causes for a spinal deformity are vertebral anomalies that occur by birth or as a manifestation of some other disease (e.g. neurofibromatosis, polio, cerebral palsy and Marfans syndrome).

It is a spinal curvature as seen from the front or back of the person who has it. Instead of being straight, spine assume an‘s’ or ‘c’ shape. The curves are measured in degrees. “By definition if you consider any curve above 10 degrees as abnormal the incidence in India will be about 2.5 percent; however of these only 0.25 percent would need surgery. Curves which are more than 30 degree, need to be carefully watched because they can worsen rapidly”, said Dr Vengsarkar.

The most common form of scoliosis is idiopathic scoliosis which is a genetically linked condition (tends to run in families). Nearly 80-85% of scoliosis is Idiopathic, which means the cause cannot be identified.

The curve depending on the age that it manifests can be divided into infantile (0 to 3 years) juvenile (3 to 9) and adolescent scoliosis (above 10 till skeletal maturity). Of these the adolescent one is the most common. The major problem with scoliosis is that it tends to progress. The major progression happens during the growing years and then slows down but increases with age gradually even after growth stops. For example; if you have a curve of 40 degrees it tends to increase at the rate of one degree a year after skeleton maturity. Also it is observed that scoliosis affects the female child more but it often goes undetected till the marriageable age.

Besides being cosmetically unappealing the medical problems associated with scoliosis are greater incidence of low back pain with age, decreased chest compliance, and reduced lung capacity (observed more in people with large curves).

Early detection remains the mainstay in scoliosis. With early detection children can be put in a brace to slow down the progression and possibly avoid surgery. “Schools in abroad have a scoliosis screening programme in which a doctor or nurse makes the children bend over and looks at the deformity from the back. This allows for a simple, easy and cost effective early detection. With swimming becoming a popular sport in school, children can be easily detected early but the only drawback will be that it may not cover all parts of India” added Dr Vengsarkar.

Commenting further Dr Vengsarkar said, “If this simple step is undertaken by every school it would make scoliosis a disorder that can be nipped in the bud.”