|
Screen To Keep Spine Trouble From Getting Worse
By NAPS,
North American Precis Syndicate
. New York
,
NY
.
Photo:
NAPS
Before the school year starts can be a good time to screen for scoliosis. (NAPS) |
(NAPSI)—The end of summer is a good time to re-establish healthy habits
and back-to-school routines. In addition to dental checkups and annual
physicals, pediatric medical specialists recommend adding a scoliosis
screening to back-to-school checklists.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis, a musculoskeletal disorder that causes an abnormal curvature of
the spine or backbone, is the most common deformity of the spine, affecting
an estimated 6 to 9 million people in the United States. Although 10
percent of adolescents may have the condition, not all will need care. Early
detection, however, can be key to successful treatment.
"Because most causes are unknown, it's best to find the condition as early
as possible to provide the best possible outcome," explained Amer Samdani,
M.D., chief of surgery for Shriners Hospitals for Children®—Philadelphia.
Signs And Symptoms
Children and teens with scoliosis rarely exhibit symptoms and sometimes
the condition is not obvious until the curvature of the spine becomes severe.
Some markers to watch for in a child who has scoliosis are:
• Clothes not fitting correctly or hems not hanging evenly
• Uneven shoulders, shoulder blades, ribs, hips or waist
• Entire body leaning to one side
• Appearance or texture of ribs sticking up on one side when bending
forward
• Head not properly centered over the body.
Diagnosis and Treatment
When confirming a diagnosis of scoliosis, a doctor will review your
child's medical history, conduct a full examination, and discuss treatment
with you and your child.
According to Dr. Samdani, there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for
scoliosis.
"Some cases will just need to be watched; others will need physical
therapy, bracing or surgical procedures to stop the curve from progressing,"
he said. "At Shriners Hospitals, we offer the whole spectrum of treatments
under one roof. We also treat children regardless of the families' ability to
pay, so that often provides a huge relief to parents."
Learn More
For more information on scoliosis screenings, care and treatment, visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/scoliosis.
__________________________________________________________
App Helps Parents Detect Signs of
Scoliosis
You can also check your child's spine for scoliosis with the help of your
smartphone through the SpineScreen app—available for free on the App Store
and Google Play. For more information on the app and the importance of
routine screening, go to www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/scoliosis.
If your child does have scoliosis or any other orthopaedic condition, you
should know that Shriners Hospitals for Children has 20 locations in the United States, Mexico
and Canada
that provide expert orthopaedic care.
__________________________________________________________
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)
|
