More females than males are likely to develop Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
There are many causes of scoliosis but the most common type of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) which means no known cause. AIS accounts for 80% of all scoliosis cases.”It’s estimated that females are 10 times more likely to develop AIS, before the age of 10, than males. [and] A girl diagnosed with scoliosis is approximately 10 times likely to experience progression than boys of the same age." bracing is not successful, and their child’/teenager's curvature(s) continue to progress to greater than 40º, spinal fusion surgery is recommended.
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Idiopathic scoliosis is three dimensional
Today, idiopathic scoliosis is deemed to be three dimensional deformity affecting the spine and trunk, causing functional and structural changes in all 3 planes of the body. X-rays will show the vertebra at the centre of the major curve to be wedge shaped in appearance, indicating the scoliosis is structural; these changes, together with soft tissue imbalances cause a trunk deformity.
Idiopathic scoliosis can be managed in active daily life
At this point in time there is no cure for scoliosis but it can be managed in active daily life to maintain good (symmetrical) posture and optimal health. Schroth 3D scoliosis exercises are designed to help individuals better manage their scoliosis throughout their lifetime.
Schroth Method scoliosis-specific exercises, which are customized for patients based on their major idiopathic curvature type can improve the effectiveness of adolescent bracing.
Internationally recognized and widely accepted rigid asymmetrical 3D Chêneau style braces, such as the Gensingen brace™ and RSC® brace, are now available in Australia. This style of bracing can be very effective in preventing progression, and reducing curvatures, if applied during the adolescent growth and before skeletal maturity.
Idiopathic Scoliosis is commonly referred to as either a 'C' curve or 'S' curve
There is a universal understanding that a 'C' curve is a Single Curve and a 'S' curve is a Double Curve. But precisely what are 'C' and 'S' curves - are they exactly all the same or are they different types?
In 90% of Idiopathic Scoliosis cases, curvatures are to the right in the thoracic spine and to the left in lumbar spine. However, 10% of cases are the opposite to the norm.
Is a 'C' curve always a Thoracic curve? In the case of a 'S' curve is one curve more dominant than the other?
Can Idiopathic Scoliosis cause a problem with the Pelvis? In many iIdiopathic Scoliosis cases, one hip is often prominent and elevated resulting in a patient's waistline being noticeably asymmetrical.
Irrespective of whether a patient presents with a major curve type or a less common idiopathic scoliosis curve type (as in image (6) displayed in Common Idiopathic Scoliosis Curvature Types, Schroth 3D scoliosis exercises are customized to meet the needs of individual patients.