A 31-year-old member asked:
Is it true that congenital scoliosis is life threatening?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Scott Glickmananswered
Neurosurgery 21 years experience
No: Congenital scoliosis is not life threatening in isolation. However, if very severe, there can be neuromuscular restrictions and pain that worsen with time, often the reason people undergo surgery. With chronicity (many years), severe cases lead to restrictive lung disease that an shorten life if not treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Edward Hellmananswered
Orthopedic Surgery 31 years experience
Not typically: not typically. The two exception to that are if the curve has been allowed to progress to an exceptionally large degree that it effects lung or cardiac function, which is quite rare nowadays. Or two, if the patient has other associated conditions with the scoliosis such as congenital heart or kidney problems which can be seen in a small percentage of cases.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 7, 2014
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