With June marking National Scoliosis Awareness Month, Dr. David Siambanes, a Tampa spine surgeon and founder of Scoliosis Care, is making parents and guardians aware of the signs and symptoms associated with childhood scoliosis, giving them the skills and knowledge to detect scoliosis earlier and provide better chances of successful corrective treatments.
National Scoliosis Awareness Month occurs annually in June as a time to highlight the expanding need for early detection and general awareness about scoliosis, with more than 100,000 children being diagnosed with scoliosis each year in the U.S..
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that is commonly diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated six to nine million people are affected by scoliosis.
“It is very important to catch and treat scoliosis early on, especially as children go through their puberty growth spurt.” said Dr. Siambanes, a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in scoliosis and cerebral palsy. “With the majority of children being diagnosed between 10 and 15 years old, it is important to screen regularly for scoliosis, as early detection can significantly increase the chances of corrective treatments being successful and avoiding surgery altogether.”
According to Dr. Siambanes, signs and symptoms of scoliosis include:
- Curved posture
- Difficulty sitting or standing
- Difficulty walking due to loss of leg muscle coordination
- Humpback
- Leaning towards one side
- Reduction in height due to a curved spine
- Spinal stiffness
In addition to staying aware of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis, it is important to note that scoliosis is found to be more common in females. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that girls are 10 times more likely to develop scoliosis before the age of 10 than boys. Girls are also approximately 10 times more likely to experience scoliosis progression than boys of the same age.
While corrective surgery remains an option of last resort, other treatment options for scoliosis include observation and bracing depending on the severity of the scoliosis.
If you believe your child is showing signs and symptoms of scoliosis, do not wait. Call Scoliosis Care in Tampa today at 813-554-8983 or visit our website www.scoliosiscare.com to make an appointment with Dr. Siambanes.
