Scoliosis affects two percent of the population and is 20 percent more likely to occur if someone in the family has scoliosis, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). Scoliosis is a condition that is characterized by side-to-side curves in the spine. Most cases of scoliosis develop in middle or late childhood and occur more often in boys than girls. A doctor will look for specific clinical manifestations of scoliosis.
Uneven Shoulders
Scoliosis can cause the shoulder to be uneven, states MayoClinic.com. Shoulder become uneven because the curvature in the spine can cause one shoulder blade to tilt more than the opposite shoulder blade, which results in unevenness. Furthermore, one or both shoulder blades may become prominent. This may go unnoticed in a child for many years because it is rarely painful. Thus, MayoClinic.com recommends that parents watch for warning signs of scoliosis when their child is about eight years of age.
Uneven Hips
Curvature in the spine, particularly in the lower spine can cause the hips to be uneven, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because the lower spine is curved, which can cause the hipbone to tilt more to one side than the other. According to the AAOS, a parent may notice a lumbar prominence, or a protrusion of the back on one side more than the other. If this is noticed, a family physician, pediatrician or orthopedist should be contacted for the proper diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis.
Pain
A patient may complain of back pain if he has scoliosis. This occurs because the misaligned backbones can aggravate nearby sensory nerves, or spinal nerves that are exiting the spinal column. In addition, arthritis may occur earlier in patients with scoliosis than in patients without it, states MayoClinic.com. Pain is treated conservatively, but surgery may be necessary if pain can no longer be tolerated.
Prominent Ribs
In more severe cases of scoliosis, the spine may rotate or twist, states MayoClinic.com. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to stick out more than the ribs on the opposite side of the body. This is a serious clinical manifestation because misaligned ribs can affect the heart and lungs. In particular, it may affect how the heart bumps blood to the lungs and the body. In addition, misaligned ribs can affect breathing, which can result in pneumonia or other lung infections. Surgery may be required at this severe stage of scoliosis.
