4 Main Signs That Your Child Might Be Having Scoliosis
It is estimated that about 3% of adolescents have scoliosis. This condition occurs during growth, mainly before puberty, and causes the spine to curve sideways. Although most scoliosis cases are mild, others get more severe as children grow. In some cases, the condition causes severe spine deformities, limiting walking and inhibiting proper lung functions. How do you know if your child has scoliosis?
Here are four main signs to look for:
1. Uneven shoulders
Take a close look at your child. Are their shoulders correctly aligned? If not, they might have scoliosis. In such a case, one shoulder is usually higher than the other. The difference can sometimes be slight and usually goes unnoticed.
On most occasions, the condition is associated with muscular-skeletal imbalances or structural issues, mainly scoliosis. However, there are other causes of uneven shoulders, including:
- Carrying or lifting heavy objects with one hand for a long time.
- Always using one hand when writing or doing daily tasks.
2. Uneven Hips
Typically, the hip bones emanate from the pelvis. When the pelvis is in its right position, your hips are even. However, due to scoliosis, the pelvis is tilted, making one hip appear higher than the other.
If your child's hips are uneven, they may feel self-conscious and embarrassed about their appearance. If the spinal curve is mild, it is treatable using a back brace. In some extreme cases, surgery is recommended.
3. Uneven Rib Cage
If your child has an uneven rib cage, their ribs push out. The condition indicates that the two sides of the child's rib cage are not symmetrical. People with this problem have issues with their posture, breathing, and body confidence.
Mainly, the condition is attributed to scoliosis, whereby the spine is abnormally curved, making the ribs protrude outwards to accommodate the curvature. Other causes of an uneven rib cage include birth defects and trauma.
- Trauma
4. Head Not Centered
If the spine is aligned correctly, your body maintains a straight line from head to toes. If your child stands straight, you can check if the head is centered. If it's not, they might be having spine misalignment, mainly caused by scoliosis. The condition causes pain, discomfort, and slouched posture.
Apart from visible signs, your child may also frequently complain about neck pain, chronic headaches, lower back pain, and excessive fatigue. If you suspect that your daughter or son has scoliosis, you should seek urgent medical care and have the doctor assess the nature and extent of spine curving.
Conclusion
Although adults can get scoliosis, the condition is more common in children before they get to puberty. Take a close look at your young one and if you identify signs of spin misalignment, seek medical care promptly.
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