medical report for patient with scoliosis

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?

Documentation for a child with scoliosis includes: Individual findings, including factors affecting, interactions, nature of social exchanges, specifics of individual behavior. Cultural and religious beliefs, and expectations. Plan of care. Teaching plan. Responses to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.

How do you document scoliosis in a child?

It is important that evaluation of the neurological, genitourinary and cardiovascular systems is undertaken when congenital scoliosis is diagnosed.

What is included in the evaluation of congenital scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. The spine's normal curves occur at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the so-called “sagittal” plane.

What is scoliosis?

How do you assess a patient with 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 do you document scoliosis?

An X-ray will show the spine from the front and back of the body, clearly revealing its shape and whether there is a curve. This can confirm the presence of scoliosis. A doctor will then use the X-ray to calculate the Cobb angle measurement, which tells whether the curve is mild or severe.

How is scoliosis described medically?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents.

What are the nursing diagnosis for scoliosis?

Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses are: Impaired physical mobility related to restricted movement. Risk for injury related to decreased mobility. Risk for impaired skin integrity related to irritation of brace.

How would you describe a scoliosis curve on a physical exam?

How is scoliosis diagnosed? When the patient is examined from the rear and asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal, one side of the back may appear higher than the other. This test, called the Adams test, is a very sensitive test for scoliosis; it is therefore the most frequent screening test for scoliosis.

What is a scoliosis survey?

Brief Summary: This is a survey to help understand the influences related to the decision for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis treatment (observation vs. bracing vs. surgery). The investigator then plans to create a decision aid to help families when making a decision about the treatment choice being presented to them.

What is the medical term for a curved spine?

Scoliosis is where the spine twists and curves to the side. 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.

What are 4 symptoms of scoliosis?

In adults, scoliosis causes symptoms like these:Uneven shoulders and/or hips.Bump in the lower back.Numbness, weakness, or pain in the legs.Trouble walking.Trouble standing up straight.Tired feeling.Shortness of breath.Loss of height.More items...•

What is the medical definition for spinal curvature?

spinal curvature abnormal deviation of the vertebral column, as in kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis.

What are the complications of 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.

How is scoliosis treated?

There are three proven ways to manage scoliosis — observation, bracing, and surgery. The doctor will recommend one of these methods based on the severity of the scoliosis and the child's physical maturity.

How is scoliosis prevention?

Adult scoliosis cannot be prevented. In patients with idiopathic scoliosis, the cause of the condition is unknown. Degenerative scoliosis happens over time as the body ages. It is important to keep up with a regular low impact aerobic and core strengthening exercise program.

When does scoliosis appear?

Scoliosis is often painless and may not be noticed until a child reaches adolescence. It may appear in casual circumstances, such as a parent noticing that a hemline is uneven. Most cases of scoliosis develop very gradually.

What does it mean when your spine curves?

Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Everyone's spine naturally curves a bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. The spine might look like the letter C or S.

How long does it take for a child's spine to fuse?

Your child's spine should look much straighter after surgery. There will still be some curve. It takes at least 3 months for the spinal bones to fuse together well. It will take 1 to 2 years for them to fuse completely. Children can resume many physical activities in the weeks and months after surgery, but will need to wait until the spine is fully healed before participating in contact sports.

What causes a deformed spine?

Congenital scoliosis is caused by birth defects that affect spine formation and result in deformed or fused vertebrae. Congenital scoliosis has a high likelihood of progressing in severity. Children usually require early surgical intervention to prevent serious complications.

Where do you cut a child's spine?

The surgeon will make at least one surgical cut to get to your child's spine. This cut may be in your child's back, chest, or both places. The surgeon may also do the procedure using a special video camera.

Is scoliosis idiopathic or genetic?

In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown (idiopathic). Because scoliosis often runs in families, researchers think that genetic factors may play a role. However, severity often varies widely among family members who have the condition, suggesting that other factors must be present.

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.

What is a scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. The spine's normal curves occur at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the so-called “sagittal” plane.

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.

What tests can be done to diagnose scoliosis?

Imaging tests. Plain X-rays can confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and reveal the severity of the spinal curvature. If a doctor suspects that an underlying condition — such as a tumor — is causing the scoliosis, he or she may recommend additional imaging tests, such as an MRI.

How to help a child with scoliosis?

Encourage your child to talk to his or her friends and ask for their support. Consider joining a support group for parents and kids with scoliosis.

What is the most common type of scoliosis surgery?

The most common type of scoliosis surgery is called spinal fusion. In spinal fusion , surgeons connect two or more of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) together, so they can't move independently. Pieces of bone or a bone-like material are placed between the vertebrae.

How often should a scoliosis rod be lengthened?

This growing rod is attached to the top and bottom sections of the spinal curvature, and is usually lengthened every six months.

What is a low profile brace for scoliosis?

Scoliosis brace. This low-profile brace is made of plastic materials and is contoured to conform to the body. If your child's bones are still growing and he or she has moderate scoliosis, your doctor may recommend a brace.

What factors are considered when treating curves?

Factors to be considered include: Sex. Girls have a much higher risk of progression than do boys. Severity of curve.

Can scoliosis be treated with a brace?

Most children with scoliosis have mild curves and probably won't need treatment with a brace or surgery. Children who have mild scoliosis may need regular checkups to see if there have been changes in the curvature of their spines as they grow. While there are guidelines for mild, moderate and severe curves, the decision to begin treatment is ...

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 old is scoliosis?

Other terms for scoliosis also depend on the age of onset, such as juvenile scoliosis (4-9 years) and adolescent scoliosis (10-18 years). Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine, occurs in two forms: structural and functional (postural).

When do you have to take a scoliosis exam?

Many states require regular examination of students for scoliosis, beginning in the fifth or sixth grade. Scoliosis is a rare condition, accounting for fewer than 1% of cases of idiopathic scoliosis in North America; in Europe, the rate is 4%.

How often does idiopathic scoliosis occur?

Although mild curves occur as often in boys as in girls, idiopathic scoliosis requiring treatment occurs eight times more frequently in girls than in boys.

What brace is used for scoliosis?

Braces. The Boston brace or the TLSO brace is more commonly used to treat scoliosis; the brace should be worn constantly, except during bathing and swimming; its fit is monitored closely; it is worn over a T-shirt or undershirt to protect the skin. A Chêneau brace achieving correction from 56° to 27° Cobb angle.

What is scoliosis curve?

What is Scoliosis? The term scoliosis is derived from the Greek word skolios (“twisted”) and refers to a sideward (right or left) curve in the spine. Scoliosis is not a simple curve to one side but, in fact, is a more complex three-dimensional deformity that often develops in childhood.

What are the two types of scoliosis?

There are two types of scoliosis: Structural. Structural scoliosis involves rotated and malformed vertebrae. Functional. Functional scoliosis, the more common type, can have several causes: poor posture, muscle spasm caused by trauma, or unequal length of legs.

When is infantile scoliosis detected?

Infantile scoliosis usually is detected during the first year of life either by the parents or by the pediatrician during routine examination of the infant. Thoracic curve. Usually, a single long thoracic curve to the left is present; less often, a thoracic and lumbar double curve is noted. Asymmetry.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment