Congenital Scoliosis
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Congenital scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that is caused by a defect that was present at birth. It occurs in only 1 in 10,000 newborns and is much less common than the type of scoliosis that begins in adolescence.
Children with congenital scoliosis sometimes have other health issues, such as kidney or bladder problems.
Even though congenital scoliosis is present at birth, it is sometimes impossible to see any spine problems until a child reaches adolescence.
Understanding the spine can help you better understand scoliosis. Learn more about spine anatomy at Spine Basics.
A single hemivertebra in the lower back shown in a 3-D image from a computed tomography (CT) scan. Note the four normal rectangular vertebra below the single triangular-shaped hemivertebra (arrow). This wedged vertebra creates the deformity that would not have otherwise been there.
Courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
Incomplete Formation of Vertebrae
As the spine forms before birth, part of one vertebra (or more) may not form completely. When this occurs, the abnormality is called a hemivertebra and can produce a sharp angle in the spine. The angle can get worse as the child grows.
This abnormality can happen in just one vertebra or in many throughout the spine. When there is more than one hemivertebra, they will sometimes balance each other out and make the spine more stable.Failure of Separation of Vertebrae
During fetal development, the spine forms first as a single column of tissue that later separates into segments that become the bony vertebrae. If this separation is not complete, the result may be a partial fusion (boney bar) joining two or more vertebrae together.
Such a bar prevents the spine from growing on one side after a child is born. This results in a spinal curve that increases as a child grows.Combination of Bars and Hemivertebrae
The combination of a bar on one side of the spine and a hemivertebra on the other causes the most severe growth problem. These cases can require surgery at an early age to stop the increased curvature of the spine.
Compensatory Curves
In addition to scoliosis curves, a child's spine may also develop compensatory curves in order to maintain an upright posture. This occurs when the spine tries to make up for a scoliosis curve by creating other curves in the opposite direction above, or below, the affected area. The vertebrae are shaped normally in compensatory curves.
This 4-year-old girl's body shifts to the left. One hip looks higher than the other and her waistline is not the same shape on the two sides.
Courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
Congenital scoliosis is often detected during the pediatrician's examination at birth because of a slight abnormality of the back.
Scoliosis is not painful, so if the curvature is not detected at birth, it can go undetected until there are obvious signs -- which could be as late as adolescence. A child may suspect that something is wrong when clothes do not fit properly. Parents can discover the problem in early summer when they see their child in a bathing suit.
The physical signs of scoliosis include:
- Tilted, uneven shoulders, with one shoulder blade protruding more than the other
- Prominence of the ribs on one side
- Uneven waistline
- One hip higher than the other
- Overall appearance of leaning to the side
- In rare cases there may be a problem with the spinal cord or nerves that produces weakness, numbness, or a loss of coordination.
Physical Examination
The standard screening test for scoliosis is the forward bending test. Your child will bend forward and your doctor will observe your child from the back, looking for a difference in the shape of the ribs on each side. A spinal deformity will be most noticeable when your child is in this position.
With your child standing upright, your doctor will check to see if the hips are level, the shoulders are level, and that the position of the head is centered over the hips. He or she will check the movement of the spine in all directions.To rule out the presence of a spinal cord or nerve problem, your doctor may check the strength in your child's legs and the reflexes in the abdomen and legs.
Tests
This adolescent girl's curve and the hemivertebra causing it show up clearly on x-ray.
Courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
Although the forward bending test can detect scoliosis, it cannot detect the presence of congenital abnormalities. Imaging tests can provide more information.
X-rays. Images of your child's spine are taken from the back and the side. The x-rays will show the abnormal vertebra(e) and how severe the curve is.Once your doctor makes the diagnosis of congenital scoliosis, your child will be referred to a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon for specialized care and further tests.
Computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan can provide a detailed image of your child's spine, showing the size, shape, and position of the vertebrae. To see the vertebrae better, your doctor may have a 3-D image made from the CT scan. This looks like a photograph of the bones.
This 3-D image from a CT scan shows hemivertebrae, as well as a fused, boney block.
Courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Because an MRI can evaluate soft tissues better than a CT scan, an MRI will be done to check for abnormalities of the spinal cord at least once for every patient.
There are several treatment options for congenital scoliosis. In planning your child's treatment, your doctor will take into account the type of vertebral abnormality, the severity of the curve, and any other health problems your child has.
Your doctor will determine how likely it is that your child's curve will get worse, and then suggest treatment options to meet your child's specific needs.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Observation. A child with a small curve that seems to be unchanging will be monitored to make sure the curve is not getting worse. Although it does not happen in every patient, congenital scoliosis curves can get bigger as the spine grows and the deformity of the back becomes more noticeable. It is likely that a curve in a young child will get worse because younger children still have a lot of growing to do.
Your doctor will follow the changes of your child's curve using x-rays taken at 6- to 12- month intervals during the growing years.Physical activity does not increase the risk for curve progression. Children with congenital scoliosis can participate in most sports and hobbies.
Bracing or casting. Braces or casts are not effective in treating the curvature caused by the congenitally abnormal vertebrae, but they are sometimes used to control compensatory curves where the vertebrae are normally shaped.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical treatment is reserved for patients who:
- have curves that have significantly worsened during the course of x-ray monitoring
- have severe curves
- have a large deformity of the spine or trunk
- are developing a neurological problem due to an abnormality in the spinal cord
This x-ray was taken of the same patient after her surgery to remove the hemivertebra and fuse the curved vertebrae with a metal implant.
Courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
Hemivertebra removal. A single hemivertebra can be surgically removed. The partial correction of the curve that is achieved by doing this can then be maintained using metal implants. This procedure will only fuse two to three vertebrae together.
Growing rod. Growing rods do not actually grow but can be lengthened with minor surgery that is repeated every 6 to 8 months. The goal of a growing rod is to allow continued growth while correcting the curve. One or two rods are attached to the spine above and below the curve. Every 6 to 8 months, the child returns to the doctor and the rod is lengthened to keep up with the child's growth. When the child is full grown, the rod(s) are replaced and a spinal fusion is performed.
Rehabilitation. Young children usually recover quickly from surgery and are discharged from the hospital within 1 week. Depending on the operation, a child may need to wear a cast or brace for 3 to 4 months.
Once they are healed, children are allowed to participate in most of the activities that they had previously participated in.
Congenital scoliosis detected at an early age is one of the most challenging types of scoliosis to treat. The curves can be large to begin with and because children have so much growth ahead of them, the chance of severe curve is high.
Although fusion of vertebrae at an early age results in the spine and trunk being shorter than they would have been, children can have outstanding results and achieve normal, or near-normal, function.
Last reviewed: May 2010
AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS "Find an Orthopaedist"program on this website.
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