Every day in the column "Les evils du everyday", Doctor Jimmy Mohamed takes stock of a disease.

This Tuesday he is interested in scoliosis, this pathology which affects the spine and which is most often discovered in adolescence.

He explains to us what are its causes and if it is treatable.

In the section "the evils of everyday life" in "Sans Rendez-vous", doctor Jimmy Mohamed takes stock every day on these little everyday ailments that can rot life for some time.

This Tuesday, he is interested in scoliosis, this deformity of the spine which usually appears in adolescence, and explains to us what are its causes and especially how to treat it.

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"Scoliosis is a deformation of the spine in the three planes of space, from left to right, front to back, associated in addition to a rotation of the vertebrae which will therefore deform the spine. It is measured by quite simple way, with geometric tools, to calculate angles that will define it.

Contrary to popular belief, heavy satchels do not cause scoliosis.

They can lead to lower back problems and pain.

But scoliosis is not painful and most often begins in adolescence as a result of growth.

There is also a hormonal mechanism, although in general it is discovered around 12, 13, 14, 15 years old, and it evolves throughout life if it is not treated. 

A pathology that concerns 85% of girls

You should know that scoliosis affects 85% of girls, hence the idea that there would be a hormonal impact.

In 80% of cases it is said to be idiopathic, that is to say that we do not know its cause.

But there are still some explanations: the first is related to the gland that we have in the brain, called the epiphysis, which secretes hormones, neurotransmitters, at the time of growth, and which would not work very well.

This would have an influence on the development of the spine.

And there is also a genetic ground since girls whose mothers have scoliosis can also be affected.

But that doesn't mean it will be so serious.

In 10% of cases it is accompanied by neurological diseases and in particular neuromuscular diseases, and in 5% of cases it is congenital, therefore from birth. 

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Scoliosis does not cause pain, except when there is a very large angle of it which results in fixation of the spine, around 30-40 years.

It is important in all cases to consult, the doctor must detect it.

In 90% of cases it evolves favorably, without surgical treatment, and one in two times you need to wear a corset 24 hours a day. It is then stopped around 16 or 17 years old, when the growth stabilizes slowly.

At this time, the patient is not operated and has a normal life.

All the other treatments, physiotherapy, insoles, have not been effective, even if they can help support the child. "