Curvature of the spine, also known as scoliosis, is a relatively common condition. It can vary in its onset, its rate of progression, its severity, its location and its potential impact on the affected person's appearance and health. There is also a considerable variety of causes of this condition.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of curvature of the spine. The text, "Essentials of Skeletal Radiology" states that 80 percent of scoliosis cases are of this type. The term idiopathic indicates that the origin or etiology is essentially unknown. A genetic predisposition to the condition is recognized, but other factors are also felt to contribute to this condition which tends to develop during periods of growth. This type of scoliosis is more common in girls.
Birth Defect
Sometimes during fetal development a vertebra may form asymmetrically. A pelvic deformity or some anomaly of the ribcage may occur. In these cases, the spine may develop a curve as a compensation for the bony irregularity. These curvatures must be closely monitored during growth years as they may become rapidly progressive.
Degeneration
Severe degenerative breakdown of spinal discs and other arthritic changes can potentially result in curvature of the spine. While most cases of scoliosis show their greatest tendencies toward progression during the growth years, degenerative scoliosis is one that gets worse in later years, long after skeletal growth and maturity are complete.
Neuromuscular
Cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy are two examples of neuromuscular conditions that can lead to spinal curvatures. With these conditions, the body lacks either sufficient strength and/or neuromuscular coordination to properly support the spine. When there is a lack of proper strength or motor control, the spine is vulnerable to the effects of gravity and other external forces. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke advocates the uses of braces to prevent the development of scoliosis in muscular dystrophy cases.
Other Causes
Infections of the spine have the potential to cause destruction of bone and other supportive tissue and may result in spinal curvature. Before the discovery of antibiotics, it was common for tuberculosis to invade the spine and cause a characteristic deformity. Polio is another infectious condition that no longer contributes significantly to causing scoliosis, though it is still not uncommon to encounter an older person with a scoliosis secondary to childhood polio.
Trauma, including fractures, can result in secondary spinal distortion. Tumors of or near the spine may cause curvature. Radiation therapy for certain tumors found in young people may arrest bone growth and result in an unfortunate side effect of spinal curvature.
References
- "Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition;" T Yochum and L Rowe; 2004
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
