Does your child complain of back pain, and you are afraid they may have scoliosis? This fear is understandable because this condition only worsens as they age and can become very serious. As a result, it is essential to know how to spot symptoms of this disease and what causes it.
How Can I Tell If My Child Has Scoliosis?
Doctors will use various diagnostic tools when screening your child to ensure their scoliosis is caught and managed. However, there are also various symptoms that you can spot that will help you to know when screening or treatment is necessary, including:
- A noticeable difference in shoulder height that worsens as they age
- The head is not centering properly with the rest of the child’s body
- A difference in hip position or height that worsens as they age
- The shoulder blades change position or height with time
- An obvious difference in the ways the arms hang by the body
- A change in height at the side of the back when the child bends forwards
These issues indicate a real likelihood that your child either has scoliosis or is at risk for developing it. It is important to take this issue very seriously and to work with a high-quality doctor to understand more about this condition, including what may have caused your child’s problem.
What Causes Scoliosis?
Scoliosis may be a genetic condition or one that runs in families, so if you or others in your family have had it, your child may be at risk. That said, other factors may increase their chance of developing this disease and needing treatment. These issues include:
- Diseases like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy that affect the nervous system
- Injuries caused by childhood play or even participating in contact sports, like football
- Differences in leg lengths that may put a strain on their spine as they grow
- Infections that spread throughout the spine and cause changes in its position
- Benign or cancerous tumors growing throughout their back and near the spine
These serious concerns make it vital for parents to take their child’s potential scoliosis pain seriously. Working with a doctor can help to diagnose many of these concerns and help a child transition to a healthier life.
How Is Scoliosis Treated?
Doctors typically diagnose scoliosis with X-rays, MRI tests, CT scans, and hands-on assessment that gauges just how much the spine is out of alignment. Depending on the severity of their condition, your child may need physical exercises, braces, and even surgery to correct their spine. Catching this problem early minimizes the risk of serious and invasive surgical procedures.
Taking This Problem Seriously
Your child deserves treatment if they suffer from serious scoliosis issues. It is important to take this diagnosis and care process seriously and to work with doctors who fully understand the scope of this unique care method. Doing so can ensure that your children are happy and provide them with the hands-on care they need to stay healthy.