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Early Onset Scoliosis vs. Adolescent Scoliosis
Scoliosis occurring at an early age especially under age 10 show different characteristics than adolescent scolioses.
Early onset scolioses are often progressive because of a child’s growth potential.
What Causes Early Onset Scoliosis?
Early onset scoliosis may be infantile or juvenile scoliosis, which are types of idiopathic (unknown cause) scoliosis. Congenital scoliosis becomes evident at earlier ages, and has a rapid progression. Early onset scoliosis may also occur in some syndromic patients. Others are scolioses caused by muscle and nerve (neuromuscular) diseases, metabolic diseases (mucopolysaccharidosis, etc.), and connective tissue disorders (osteogenesis imperfecta, etc).
What are Signs of Early Onset Scoliosis?
- A curve to the side, or abnormal gibbosity, or abnormal concave curve
- Skin abnormalities in the back such as increased hair, dimples, color changes
- Abnormal arms or legs
- Unequal shoulders, waist or hips
- Disproportionate shortness of the torso compared to the legs
- Balance disorders
- Back prominences seen when the person bends forward