emergency room medical report on patient with scoliosis

by Mabelle Morissette 6 min read

Scoliosis | In-Depth Reports | St. Luke's Hospital

9 hours ago Mild Scoliosis (10 to 25 degrees). Mild scoliosis is not serious and requires no treatment other than monitoring. Moderate Scoliosis (26 to 40 degrees). Scoliosis with a curve over 30 degrees has risks for progressing into adulthood. It also poses risk for other health problems. Severe … >> Go To The Portal


Common tests & procedures

The curve is measured by the Cobb Method and is diagnosed in terms of severity by the number of degrees. A positive diagnosis of scoliosis is made based on a coronal curvature measured on a posterior-anterior radiograph of greater than 10 degrees. In general, a curve is considered significant if it is greater than 25 to 30 degrees.

How is the severity of scoliosis diagnosed?

The patient was advised to undergo surgery due to the long-term negative impact of signs and symptoms of scoliosis upon her health. The patient agreed to surgery, which was performed in one of Germanys leading centres for spinal surgery.

Why was the patient advised to undergo surgery for scoliosis?

Orthopedists or other spinal specialists who treat scoliosis must use the relevant ICD-10 and CPT codes to bill for the procedure. The medical codes used to report scoliosis include –

What medical codes are used to bill for scoliosis?

As noted, the long-term consequences of an untreated patient with 55° of scoliosis at maturity are not definitive. Thus, the patient usually should be unhappy with the shape of their back to undergo a significant and potentially dangerous surgical correction of scoliotic deformity less than 60°.

What are the long-term consequences of untreated 55° scoliosis?

How do you examine a patient with scoliosis?

The main screening test for scoliosis is the Adam's test, which doctors may also call a forward bend test. During this test, a person removes their shirt so that the spine is fully visible. Then, they bend forward with their knees straight and their feet together, allowing the arms to hang freely.

What are some of the complications from severe scoliosis?

Complications of scoliosis can include:Breathing problems (in severe scoliosis)Low back pain.Lower self-esteem.Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones.Spinal infection after surgery.Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery.Leakage of spinal fluid.

Is scoliosis a serious medical condition?

It can affect people of any age, from babies to adults, but most often starts in children aged 10 to 15. Scoliosis can improve with treatment, but it is not usually a sign of anything serious and treatment is not always needed if it's mild.

How does a nurse check for scoliosis?

The clinician can observe any unevenness in the hips, ribs or shoulder or use a scoliometer to measure the degree of a curve. If a curve measures more than 5-7 de- grees on the scoliometer, it may be scoliosis. The curve's overall impact will depend on the child's age and bone maturity.

Can scoliosis damage organs?

In mild cases, deformity is less noticeable, and there is less danger to internal organs. Severe scoliosis (80+degrees) can potentially affect not only the spine and rib cage, but also, may eventually affect the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.

Can scoliosis cause paralysis?

Rarely does adult scoliosis alone cause paralysis or other severe neurologic problems, but it can be associated with lumbar stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal or tube where the nerves lay), which can result in nerve irritation, leg pain and possibly weakness.

What is the most common treatment for scoliosis?

Scoliosis brace The most common type of brace is made of plastic and is contoured to conform to the body. This brace is almost invisible under the clothes, as it fits under the arms and around the rib cage, lower back and hips. Most braces are worn between 13 and 16 hours a day.

What happens if scoliosis is left untreated?

Mild cases of scoliosis may not need treatment. But, moderate to severe scoliosis that is left untreated can lead to pain and increasing deformity, as well as potential heart and lung damage. Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine with rotation. It most often develops during the growth spurt just before puberty.

How does scoliosis affect the heart?

A severely curved spine can distort the rib cage, and a severely distorted rib cage can leave the heart and lungs with too little room to beat / inflate. Thus, heart failure is a possible outcome of severe progressive scoliosis – but again, it's important to bear in mind that is an extremely rare occurrence.

What is considered a nursing priority for a patient with scoliosis?

Nursing care planning goals for a pediatric client with scoliosis may include restoration of normal breathing pattern, relief of pain, improved physical mobility, enhanced learning, stop the progression of the curve and prevent deformity.

Which of the following signs should be referred to a doctor for treatment in scoliosis?

While you might think a glance in the mirror could tell you if your spine is curved instead of straight, you'll want to visit your doctor if you suspect you have scoliosis. Symptoms might include uneven shoulders and/or hips, trouble standing up straight, numbness or pain in the legs, or a bump in the lower back.

When is scoliosis diagnosed?

Scoliosis is diagnosed when the curve exceeds 10 degrees. However, by the time adults seek treatment, the curve usually exceeds 30 degrees. The doctor will also use the physical exam and imaging to assess the patient for signs of spinal stenosis (the narrowing or compression of the spinal canal).

How to diagnose scoliosis?

Scoliosis is usually confirmed through a physical examination, an x-ray, spinal radiograph, CT scan or MRI. The curve is measured by the Cobb Method and is diagnosed in terms of severity by the number of degrees.

How often should a child be examined for scoliosis?

However, if the doctor is worried that the curve may be increasing, he or she may wish to examine the child every four to six months throughout adolescence.

How old is scoliosis in children?

Scoliosis in children is classified by age: 1.) Infantile (0 to 3 years); 2.) Juvenile (3 to 10 years); and 3.) Adolescent (age 11 and older, or from onset of puberty until skeletal maturity). Idiopathic scoliosis comprises the vast majority of cases presenting during adolescence.

What plane is scoliosis measured in?

Scoliosis is often defined as spinal curvature in the “coronal” (frontal) plane. While the degree of curvature is measured on the coronal plane, scoliosis is actually a more complex, three-dimensional problem which involves the following planes: Coronal plane. Sagittal plane. Axial plane.

Why do vertebral abnormalities cause curvature and other deformities of the spine?

The vertebral abnormalities cause curvature and other deformities of the spine because one area of the spinal column lengthens at a slower rate than the rest. The geometry and location of the abnormalities determine the rate at which the scoliosis progresses in magnitude as the child grows.

How long does it take to recover from scoliosis surgery?

Most patients are able to return to school or work in two to four weeks post surgery and are able to resume all pre-surgical activities within four to six months .

What is the classification of scoliosis?

Scoliosis can be classified by etiology: idiopathic, congenital or neuromuscular. Idiopathic scoliosis is the diagnosis when all other causes are excluded and comprises about 80 percent of all cases. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis and is usually diagnosed during puberty.

How many states require spinal curvatures?

As many of our readers know, the Scoliosis Research Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and over 23 states suggest or require school screening for abnormal spinal curvatures.

What is rib thoracoplasty?

Every year, the National Scoliosis Foundation receives queries about rib thoracoplasty, a surgical technique sometimes used to help patients with scoliosis who also suffer from a "rib hump".

Can scoliosis be treated with exercise?

Exercise and Adults with Scoliosis. Many adults with scoliosis, including those with prior corrective surgery, are curious about the risks and benefits of exercises and sports participation. In our experiences, most adults with scoliosis have never held discussions with medical professionals about these issues.

How many scoliosis cases are there in the US?

( Chiro & Osteo. 2005) The total number of scoliosis cases in the United States is estimated to be greater than 4 million. ( National Scoliosis Foundation)

How many people with scoliosis have back pain?

Twice as many people with scoliosis report continuous pain as non-scoliosis patients, and 73% of people with scoliosis report experiencing back pain in the past year compared to only 28% of people without scoliosis.

Is scoliosis a common medical condition?

Scoliosis in Adults. Scoliosis in the adult has an impact that is similar to other common medical conditions including osteoarthritis , coronary artery disease , and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Overall, the burden of scoliosis on health-related quality of life is severe relative to other common medical conditions.

Is scoliosis a health problem?

Overall, the burden of scoliosis on health-related quality of life is severe relative to other common medical conditions. With the aging demographic profile of the US, the burden of adult scoliosis is increasing and has a significant impact on the health of our population.