Scoliosis

1. What is functional scoliosis? How does it differ from structural scoliosis?
2. What are the three periods of idiopathic scoliosis?
3. What is the most common presentation of congenital scoliosis? What other abnormality is it often associated with?
4. What neuromuscular diseases are commonly associated with acquired scoliosis?

Answers:
1. Functional scoliosis is due to malpositioning or unilateral paraspinal muscle pull, associated with back pain and muscle spasm. Unlike structural scoliosis, it is reversible.
2. Infantile: 0-3 yrs. Juvenile: 4 yrs-puberty onset. Adolescent: puberty to just prior to epiphyseal closure.
3. Hemivertebra in which lateral half of vert fails to form. Commonly associated with unilateral renal agenesis.
4. CP (spastic quadriplegia), Duchenne's MD (after WC bound), spinal bifida, spinal muscular atrophy.