As we explained in our blog on the subject, there are two forms of adult degenerative scoliosis. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the condition known as de novo scoliosis.
What is de novo scoliosis?
De novo scoliosis is a sideways spinal curve that appears in adulthood. The difference between de novo scoliosis and degenerative scoliosis is that de novo scoliosis affects patients who have never had scoliosis in the past.
‘De novo’ means ‘new’, and this name refers to the fact that the condition occurs later in life, during the patient’s adulthood rather than their adolescence. It is uncommon for de novo scoliosis to arise before the age of 40-50.
Causes of de novo scoliosis
As bones get weaker and the ligaments and discs in the spine become worn due to age-related changes, the spine may begin to curve.
In most cases, de novo scoliosis is caused by the ageing of the facet joints and discs in the lower (lumbar) spine, leading to the vertebrae slipping out of place and the spine losing its shape. However, a number of other conditions – including spinal canal stenosis, compression fractures, and osteoporosis – have been known to contribute to the occurrence of de novo scoliosis.
Diagnosing de novo scoliosis
A physical examination and X-ray scan / imaging techniques are required to diagnose de novo scoliosis.
Common symptoms include:
- Muscle fatigue
- Back pain
- Feelings of stiffness, numbness and weakness in the back and legs
Posture may also be affected.
In many cases, de novo scoliosis is not properly diagnosed, especially when it does not cause a significant amount of pain. A thorough inspection of the patient’s medical history helps to determine whether any underlying issues have contributed to its development.
De novo scoliosis treatment
The best treatment for this condition can depend on the nature of the condition and the symptoms experienced by the patient, with both non-surgical and surgical interventions available.
Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we use our own physiotherapy programme called ScolioGold to treat scoliosis sufferers of all ages. Physical therapy can improve the patient’s mobility, boost strength and correct abnormal posture, and ScolioGold therapy combines a variety of proven non-surgical techniques to achieve noticeable, lasting results.
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Summer time is fast approaching, and with holidays and days out planned, the shape of your child’s spine is probably the last thing on your mind right now.
However, summer is the time when you are most likely to see your pre-teen/teenage child’s back.
Scoliosis is usually idiopathic, meaning of unknown cause. Idiopathic scoliosis usually becomes apparent to parents around age 11-12, when children reach puberty and undergo rapid growth within a short period of time.
Here are some of the signs of scoliosis that, as a parent, you ought to look out for:
- Rib hump (details here)
- Different shoulder heights
- Leaning to one side
Back pain is also often associated with scoliosis, most commonly affecting the lower back region. Pain may also occur in the neck or shoulders depending on the position of the curve. It has been suggested that there is no correlation between the size of the patient’s curve and the level of pain they experience – some patients with large curves experience very little pain, while some patients with very mild curves experience significant pain.
I think my child has scoliosis – what do I need to do?
If you suspect that your child has scoliosis, please contact Scoliosis SOS today and one of our patient care coordinators will arrange an initial consultation. During this appointment, our consultant will take a radiation-free back scan of your child’s spine, along with various other measurements. We will then be able to assess your child’s condition and discuss a suitable treatment plan if necessary.
