The importance of early diagnosis of spinal deformities

The spine consists of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrococcygeal vertebrae: 1. The normal frontal spine (coronal position) is straight, if it is curved, it is called scoliosis (scoliosis); 2. A normal person in lateral position has anterior cervical convexity, anterior lumbar convexity, posterior thoracic convexity and posterior sacrococcygeal convexity, if the convexity is opposite or too large, it will cause anterior convexity (retroflexion) or posterior deformity (pack back); 3. According to the cause, the deformity can be classified as idiopathic (unknown), congenital (abnormal vertebral bone structure), traumatic (caused by spinal trauma), pathological (tuberculosis or tumor), and degenerative (middle-aged and elderly). Clinically, idiopathic and congenital types are common. Spinal deformities begin with signs such as unequal shoulders, convexity of one side of the back (razorback), pelvic tilt, and asymmetry of the thorax on both sides. For early-onset scoliosis (EOS) it is important to visit a regular hospital to identify whether it is congenital or idiopathic? The degree of scoliosis or kyphosis? The progression of the disease? Is it a brace treatment or early surgical intervention? Especially in children with severe or rapidly progressing congenital spinal deformities, brace treatment is ineffective and early surgical intervention is necessary, with the earliest reported age of 1.5 years abroad and the youngest age of 3 years for us. For spinal deformities that manifest during adolescence, it is important to visit a specialized hospital to decide whether to be conservative or to operate. and be reviewed 3 to 6 months to determine the progression of the spinal deformity. Moderate deformities have low risk and good results, while severe deformities have high risk and limited satisfaction. Therefore, parents are advised to bring their children to the hospital for a spinal examination during the holidays to avoid delaying the condition and losing the best time for correction.