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Monica Perry
Pamela Reed
Freshman Composition 1
8 November 2015
Detecting Scoliosis at a Young Age Could Be Critical For Some Parents and Their Children
Most parents know that scoliosis is a musculoskeletal deformity, a curvature of the spine
that often affects adolescents; nevertheless, they may not understand how prevalent the condition
is. According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, approximately two percent of the worlds
total population has scoliosis and of the two percent, it is estimated that ninety-five percent of
these people effected with the condition will not require significant medical treatment. However,
the remaining five percent diagnosed with scoliosis could or will develop medical and/or
emotional problems that could jeopardize their general health and well-being. It is therefore
critical to detect the condition for these afflicted persons and develop the correct treatment plan
to combat this problem. Two examples of afflicted people will follow, including my own
personal story, to help illustrate a proactive approach to detection and treatment versus a delayed
reaction to the situation and the problems that it could eventually cause.
Little did I know how my life would change in the fall of 2008. I was only 11 years old, and
was just beginning my 6th grade year. My teacher instructed all the students to come to the front
of the class. She then led us down the hall to the nurses office. We all lined up and waited for the
nurse to see us one-by-one. We all talked and laughed while waiting in line. Ultimately, I was
soon to find out that this one event would begin a taxing 7 year journey for me. This journey was
to be my battle against scoliosis.

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After my middle school screening, I went for my first appointment with my general doctor
and the diagnosis of scoliosis was confirmed by an x-ray and a repeat bend-over test (a test
where the patient bends forward so the examiner can detect any abnormalities). During my exam,
my doctor measured the curve of my spine with a special ruler. This measurement is a routine
test that helps the physician monitor the progression of the curve. My first x-ray was completed
in 2008. To explain, the spinal column is usually straight but in a spine with scoliosis, the spine
will curve far to the right or left. In some patients with scoliosis, the spine is curved in an s
shape (a curve at the top and bottom of the spine). Each curve is measured by degrees. In my
first x-ray, the upper curve measured 27 degrees and the lower curve measured 33 degrees. After
my first x-ray, my family doctor immediately referred me to a specialist (spinal physician). Once
I went to see the specialist, he recommended that I wear a brace to slow the progression of the
curves. I wore a brace for 4 years but unfortunately, the curves continued to worsen. In my most
recent x-ray, please note that my curves did increase. The upper curve progressed from 27
degrees to 49.5 degrees. The lower curve progressed from 33 degrees to 51.8 degrees. At this
time, my spinal physician began to speak to my parents and I about surgical correction. The
doctor explained that surgical correction at an earlier age is better due to less complications
during and after surgery. I eventually had the corrective surgery on June 9th 2015. To date, my
surgery has been successful and my physician was able to straighten my spine.
In contrast to my situation, lets examine the story of Marianne, a 45 year old female from
London, England. On her web site titled www.well-women.com, she explains her regrets of not
treating her scoliosis at an earlier age. She states: I myself have had a long relationship with
Scoliosis and have also had 4 pregnancies. My curvature has progressed from 35 degrees
immediately after coming out of the brace at 17, to 76 degrees today. I did not have surgery by

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my own choice. This is a decision that I now very much regret. The reason I regret it is because
had I had the surgery during my teenage years, they would have got a near perfect correction.
Now all I can hope for is a 50% correction, which to me is better than nothing, and back to where
I started.
Based on Mariannes account and the following data, parents/guardians can easily see how
important it can be to detect and properly treat scoliosis regarding affected children. According to
the author of a Mayo Clinic source, there are many complications that can arise from scoliosis.
While most people with scoliosis have a mild form of the disorder, scoliosis may sometimes
cause complications, including:
Lung and heart damage. In severe scoliosis, the rib cage may press against the lungs and heart,
making it more difficult to breathe and harder for the heart to pump.
Back problems. Adults who had scoliosis as children are more likely to have chronic back pain
than are people in the general population.
Appearance. As scoliosis worsens, it can cause more noticeable changes including unlevel
shoulders, prominent ribs, uneven hips, and a shift of the waist and trunk to the side. Individuals
with scoliosis often become self-conscious about their appearance.
Dr. Peter F. Ullrich, Jr. lists potential risks and complications of scoliosis correction earlier vs.
later in life on the web site www.spine-health.com. He states: Adult degenerative scoliosis surgery
is more difficult than adolescent scoliosis surgery for several reasons including.

Patients are older and tend to have other medical issues, which leads to an increased chance of a
peri-operative medical complication

Often, because the patients are older, osteoporosis is also present. This makes gaining purchase
(fusion) in the bone with spinal instrumentation systems a difficult process

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Fusing the lumbar spine at multiple levels often requires a surgical approach from both the front and
back to get a solid fusion, which makes it a more extensive surgery.

The fusion may need to be carried down to the sacrum, and getting a solid fusion to heal in this area
can be difficult.
In conclusion, it is critical to detect scoliosis early and then follow up with the correct treatment plan. As

in Mariannes example above, even though her scoliosis was detected early, she chose not to have surgery.
This choice placed her in a position of not having an optimal outcome that could have been achieved if
intervention was done earlier. Other health risks that Marianne may face are heart and lung damage due to
the rib cage pressing against the organs. Also, she may also face chronic back pain and an altered body
appearance that includes uneven shoulders, uneven hips and prominent ribs. If Marianne decides to have
surgery in her adult years, she will face many potential risks and complications that younger patients may
not have to face. For example, she may have other medical conditions that increase the chance of
complications during her surgery. The older patient may require more extensive surgery and there is a
possibility that the fusion will be very difficult to heal. Therefore, it is critical to detect scoliosis early and
select the most appropriate treatment plan early for the best possible outcome for your child.

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Works Cited
"Adult Scoliosis Surgery." Spine-health. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
"National Scoliosis Foundation." National Scoliosis Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web.
08 Nov. 2015.
"Scoliosis." Complications. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Nov. 2015.
"Well Women Guide to Scoliosis." Well Women Guide to Scoliosis. N.p., n.d.
Web. 08 Nov.

2015.