KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Parents are urged to pay closer attention to subtle changes in their children’s posture, as what appears to be poor posture or the result of carrying a heavy school bag could in fact be an early sign of scoliosis, a spinal condition that often develops silently during childhood.
Consultant Robotic and Spine Surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC), Dr Saw Lim Beng said scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity condition where the spine bends and rotates, affecting the body’s overall balance.
He explains scoliosis usually progresses during a child’s growth spurt, particularly between the ages of 10 and 15, when a mild spinal curve can progress rapidly within a relatively short period.
“During this period, the spine can grow very quickly. A mild curve may sometimes progress during this period of rapid growth,” he said, adding that regular medical follow-up is important to enable timely intervention if the condition worsens.
While scoliosis may not cause pain initially, Dr Saw said its effects become increasingly noticeable as the condition progresses, with children developing uneven shoulders or hips, muscle aches caused by imbalance and visible body posture.
Beyond the physical changes, he said scoliosis could also affect a child’s emotional well-being, particularly among teenagers, who may become self-conscious about their appearance, avoid social activities or lose confidence because of concerns over body image.
Dr Saw also dispelled the common misconception that poor posture or carrying heavy school bags causes scoliosis, explaining that between 80 and 90 per cent of cases are idiopathic, meaning the exact cause remains unknown.
This misunderstanding, he said, often delays proper medical assessment, with some families hoping the condition will improve on its own.
Dr Saw said early detection gives children the best chance of avoiding surgery, as many cases can be managed with regular monitoring, specialised physiotherapy and spinal bracing to slow the curve from worsening.
Surgery is usually recommended only when the spinal curve becomes severe or continues to progress despite other forms of treatment, he added, advising parents to watch for warning signs such as uneven shoulders, clothes hanging unevenly, prominent ribs when bending forward, or the body leaning to one side, and to seek medical assessment if these signs are noticed.
“A simple forward bend observation (Adam’s Forward Bend Test) may help identify the condition, but professional assessment is recommended if concerned,” he added.
In conjunction with Scoliosis Awareness Month in June, Dr Saw encouraged parents to recognise scoliosis as a medical condition rather than a posture problem, saying timely diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference to a child's long-term health and quality of life.
-- BERNAMA
