Uneven hips are one of the telltale signs of scoliosis. Scoliosis is a spine curvature that occurs most frequently in adolescents. It is a progressive condition, and over time, it can get worse.
People who suffer from cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy can develop scoliosis. But the real factor that causes childhood scoliosis is still unknown.
Most scoliosis cases are mild, with some curvature increasing as children grow. A strong spine curve may limit the amount of space within the chest, making good lung function challenging.
Children who suffer from moderate scoliosis are regularly monitored. Doctors monitor with X-rays, to observe whether the curve is worsening. The majority of the time, there is no therapy required for this. But some youngsters need to use a brace to prevent the curve from worsening. Others may be advised to go for surgery to correct extreme curvature.
What are the various signs and symptoms of Scoliosis
Scoliosis symptoms and signs may include:
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder blade that appears more pronounced than the other
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
- One side of the rib cage projecting forward
What are the leading causes of Scoliosis?
What causes scoliosis is not known, but common causes that doctors may identify may include the following:
- Some neuromuscular disorders, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
The most common ones are called idiopathic scolisosi
- Birth deformities influencing the development of the vertebral bones
- Previous surgery on the chest wall as a
Spinal injuries or infections
- Spinal cord abnormalities
What are the various Risk factors?
Age is one of the risk factors for developing the most frequent type of scoliosis. The signs and symptoms tend to appear during adolescence.
Both boys and girls can develop mild scoliosis at the same age, but it is in girls that the curve can worsen more, and treatment is required.
As per doctors, Scoliosis may also run in families, but most youngsters with this disease may not have any family history.
What are the different complications associated with scoliosis?
While most people who suffer from scoliosis will have a minor version of the disorder, it can sometimes create inevitable consequences such as:
- One can develop breathing problems. In cases of severe scoliosis, the rib cage may get pressed against the lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing. In progressive scoliosis if the deformity goes over the value of 70 degrees almost 30 percent of the lung function will be compromised.
People who have suffered scoliosis in childhood may be prone to persistent back pain when they grow up, mainly if the aberrant curves are left untreated.
More visible alterations may happen if scoliosis progresses. This may result in unequal hips and shoulders, a shift of the waist, and protruding ribs. People who suffer from scoliosis are self-conscious about their appearance.
How can scoliosis cause uneven hips?
A variety of factors can cause scoliosis. While some people are born with scoliosis (congenital), others may develop scoliosis as a result of an underlying condition. The most common form, which usually develops in adolescence, is idiopathic scoliosis—meaning the origin of the curvature isn’t known.
Scoliosis may also occur as a result of spinal disc degeneration. In this case, the disc can collapse asymmetrically, and then that causes local scoliosis.
Uneven hips are a symptom of thoracolumbar scoliosis or scoliosis that extends into the lumbar spine. Even people with predominantly thoracic or ribbed spine scoliosis will typically have a secondary lumbar or thoracic lumbar curvature.
Un even hips are due to lumbosacral anomaly and also due to in the limb length discrepancy which could be due to short limbs or growth disturbances in the length.
What is the treatment advised for uneven hips caused by scoliosis?
Although there are no treatment guarantees, different treatment approaches have different possible outcomes. Therefore patients must ensure that their treatment expectations match the realities of their chosen treatment approach.
When scoliosis is mild or moderate, physical therapy in the form of specific exercise methods like Schroth therapy is more likely to be given, which helps patients with their alignment with their posture and breathing mechanics.
It is also pertinent to note that unless the limb length is restored, the uneven hips may not equalize after successful scoliosis surgery.
Conclusion
Scoliosis exposes the body and spine to forces and tension, affecting the back and adjacent areas such as the pelvis and hips. When an aberrant spinal curvature pulls on the ribs and pelvis, it can form a rib arch and an awkwardly tilted pelvis, causing the hips to become unequal. Limb length discrepancy can compound the problem.
