Skoliosis Occurs Due to Genetic Factors? Find Out the Facts

Dream - Curved spine disease, or commonly known as scoliosis, in some cases is only detected in adulthood. Actually, if you look back, someone who has scoliosis can be due to genetic factors. 

This was explained by Dr. Widyastuti Srie Utami, Spine Orthopedic Specialist and Consultant from Pondok Indah Hospital. According to her, if there are older family members who have scoliosis, the next generation is also at risk. 

"In certain types, if there is a history of scoliosis in the family, the next generation is more likely to have scoliosis, statistically requiring more treatment," said Dr. Widyastuti.

There are differences in the level of treatment needed between individuals with scoliosis and individuals with scoliosis based on family history.

"Children with a family history of scoliosis may require 50% more treatment than children without a family history of scoliosis," said Dr. Widyastuti.

Types of Scoliosis

Scoliosis has many types, one of which is idiopathic scoliosis which is a disorder of the spine, causing lateral curvature. Knowing this, many people think that sleeping sideways can cause idiopathic scoliosis. That is a myth.

"The majority of idiopathic scoliosis types have unknown causes, in general, patients with this disease appear to be healthy. Habits such as lifting weights on one side or sitting incorrectly cannot make the originally straight spine become curved. This will only make muscle pain complaints worse. Scoliosis can occur because of the spine's own will to bend as it is," said Dr. Widyastuti.

However, this disease can still be cured through a series of medical treatments and diagnoses given by doctors to patients. After obtaining the right diagnosis from the doctor, the patient can undergo medical treatment as recommended.

"Before undergoing treatment, what needs to be done is to diagnose the patient first. Starting from knowing the type of scoliosis, the degree of scoliosis, the patient's age, to whether the scoliosis is progressive or not. After collecting this data, the doctor can then provide the best treatment advice for the patient," said Dr. Widyastuti.

Testing Methods

Usually, if someone close to them has a disease like this, people often become cautious to avoid getting the same disease. The usual method is through genetic testing, but unfortunately, this method is not recommended by doctors.

"Genetic screening tests are currently not recommended to be done routinely, especially for patients who do not show symptoms of the disease. What can be done with suspected scoliosis patients, such as when there is asymmetry of the spine, is to go to a doctor for scoliosis X-ray examination," said Dr. Widyastuti.

Report: Aisyah Cryshanty

Not Due to Poor Posture, Recognize the Triggers of Scoliosis in Children

Dream - Scoliosis in children is often attributed to daily habits. Usually, it is blamed on improper sitting posture. What are the facts?

Scoliosis is a condition where there is a lateral curvature of the spine exceeding 10 degrees, often accompanied by spinal rotation. This condition can be categorized as congenital, neuromuscular, or idiopathic. About 85% of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.

In many cases, scoliosis does not cause serious problems. In some people, it can cause visible changes in body shape, emotional pressure, and respiratory problems due to rib shape abnormalities.

Scoliosis can occur in both males and females. Females have a 5-10 times higher chance of developing more severe forms of scoliosis that may require treatment.

"There are several factors that can cause scoliosis, ranging from neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscle dystrophy, congenital defects that affect spinal development, surgery history on the chest wall in infancy, and injuries or infections of the spine," said Dr. Widyastuti Srie Utami, Orthopedic Specialist and Consultant at Jakarta Spine Clinic, Pondok Indah Hospital, during the Media Discussion event by Pondok Indah Group on Detecting and Treating Scoliosis, Monday, August 21, 2023.

Signs of Scoliosis in Children

There are several signs that can indicate the presence of scoliosis, such as uneven shoulders or an uneven waist. These signs can be seen in children.

"You can check the height of the child's back, whether there is a noticeable difference between the left and right sides. Observe the distance between the right and left elbows when the child bends, whether there is a significant difference. Recognize whether the child's sitting or standing posture is not symmetrical, which can indicate a disorder," said Dr. Widyastuti.

Reduce Discomfort

In dealing with scoliosis, there are several things that can help alleviate discomfort due to scoliosis. One of them is exercise that involves muscle performance.

"The best exercise for scoliosis that mostly works the muscles is swimming. If not, there are still many other exercises for the back muscles, such as yoga, pilates, and badminton. Avoid lifting weights," said Dr. Widyastuti.

She added that scoliosis is not the child's fault, and it is important to provide support and understanding. Consult the child's condition with a doctor to get the right treatment and support the child in living more comfortably.