Scoliosis is a change in the shape of the spinal column. The spine can twist and curve. This may lead to changes in the ribcage or the waist.
There are three main causes for a curve:
- Congenital (present at birth)
- Neuromuscular or syndromic (caused by a syndrome or a condition like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy)
- Idiopathic (the cause is unknown)
In 80% of cases the cause is unknown.
Why is surgery needed?
An operation is often required for patients who have a large curvature of the spine or one which is likely to worsen.
The purpose of surgery is to partly straighten the spine, improve the shape and prevent the curve from deteriorating by encouraging selected bones of the spine to heal together (a fusion).
If your child is in a wheelchair, the changes in the spine and pelvis may have made seating more difficult, with a tendency for your child to lean to one side. The aim of the surgery is to give the spine a better position.
Your child’s consultant will have a discussion with you about what the surgery involves.
