In 80% of cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis usually occurs in childhood or adolescence and is associated with genetic factors, often as a family disease.
There are two types of scoliosis: structured and unstructured.
Unstructured scoliosis involves curves of the spine, without rotation and is reversible, because is caused by:
-pain or spasm
-a inflammation cause as acute appendicitis
-unequal legs.
Structured scoliosis involves rotation curves of the spine and is irreversible typically caused by unknown factors (idiopathic) or diseases or other conditions such as:
-abnormalities present at birth (congenital), such as spina bifida, spinal condition in which the channel does not close normally or situations that affect normal bone formation. Between 5-7% of scoliosis cases are caused by congenital abnormalities of the spine, which cause curvature of the spine, curves that are more rigid than those caused by idiopathic scoliosis. These curves gets worse as the child grows, especially during adolescence
-muscle or nerve disorders such as cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome or muscular dystrophy
-trauma
-Infections
-tumors.
In adults, scoliosis may occur due to changes caused by aging spine (degenerative processes). These degenerative processes may be caused by osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.
Scoliosis in childhood and adolescence, generally causes no symptoms and is not clear until it becomes severe spinal deformation. It may be first perceived by parents who see that the child clothes doesn't sit right or is uneven. Child's spine may look crooked and the ribs protruding outside.
Child with scoliosis:
a shoulder may seem higher than other
a balance may seem higher than other
child-head is not centered on the body or
a blade may be more prominent than the other
-ribs are higher on one side when the child is leaning forward
Scoliosis often causes no pain in childhood or adolescence. Grief in adolescence from those who have scoliosis is on other cases, such as bone tumors. If your child has pain associated with scoliosis is very important that he be examined by the doctor to determine the cause of pain.
Adults with scoliosis may or may not have back pain. In most cases where back pain is present, it is difficult to determine whether they are caused by scoliosis. However, if the adult's scoliosis gets worse and becomes severe it can cause back pain and difficulties in breathing. Other conditions may cause similar symptoms of scoliosis.