Scoliosis
January 1st, 2017
Overview
How to Elicit
- Inspect the spine, and then palpate the spinous processes of the vertebrae.
Look For
- Lateral curvature of the spine
- Distortion of the trunk
- Prominence of the ribs
- Assymetry of skin folds about the flank
- Shoulder elevation
- Scapular rotation
Causes of Scoliosis
- Idiopathic (80%)
- Congenital - maldevelopment of vertebrae
- Neuromuscular disorders - cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy
- Syndromal - Marfan, neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome
- Trauma - fracture, dislocation, burns
- Degenerative - secondary to facet joint osteoarthritis
Consider dropping a plumb line, if one is available, from the midline at the level of the atlantoaxial joint. This will aid in easily identifying even minor lateral curvature.
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