Spinal Danger For Teens
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday July 22, 2004
The adolescent growth spurt can produce all sorts of problems. For more than one in 50 girls, a sideways curve of the spine, known as scoliosis, can be one of them. It's not clear what causes scoliosis, or why adolescent girls are at much more risk than boys. Early detection is vital - the earlier the treatment is given, the better the prognosis, says Thomas Taylor, emeritus professor of orthopedics and traumatic surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital. He says scoliosis screening used to be routine in schools, but funding cuts have left parents with responsibility for monitoring their daughters for the condition. A brochure is available on the internet (see below) advising how to self-check. The family doctor should be consulted if spinal curvature is noticed. Most girls with scoliosis will need only to be monitored by the family doctor during their growth period but about three in every 1000 will need treatment. For many, this will involve a back brace. "If the patient is compliant, the brace is effective at controlling the curve to an acceptable degree in 80 per cent of cases," Taylor says. He says more severe curvatures may need surgery, which is usually very effective. Information on scoliosis can be found at the National Self-Detection Program for Scoliosis website, www.spinecarefoundation.org
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
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