KUCHING: Scoliosis, a disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the 
spine or backbone, appears to affect adolescent girls much more than 
boys.
According to Orthopaedic Spine surgeon from Sarawak General 
Hospital Dr Wong Chung Chek, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is 
the most common spinal abnormality in children with a ratio of four 
girls for every one boy.
“It is painless and usually present as 
curvature of the thoracic spine,” he shared during a Health Talk session
 held at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak yesterday.
The talk was one of the many events and activities organised in conjunction with Pustaka’s 15th anniversary celebration.
Scoliosis
 can be easily identified, Dr Wong said, by the Adam’s Forward Bending 
test to identify any abnormalities of the spinal curve, like increased 
or decreased upper back.
To take the test, the patient needs to 
bend forward, starting at the waist until the back comes in a horizontal
 plane, with the feet together, arms hanging and the knees in extension.
“The
 causes of spinal deformity vary including congenital, traumatic, 
syndromic, idiopathic, neuromuscular and post-infection,” he said.
Dr Wong said AIS could develop in children between the ages of 11 and 14 during the growth spurt of puberty.
“However,
 not all curves require treatment,” he said, adding that it depends on 
the potential progression of the curve, severity, location and size.
“The scoliosis may increase or worsen when the person grows taller,” he added.
However,
 he emphasised that the likelihood of an idiopathic scoliosis worsening 
was very unlikely unless the curve was around 50 degrees or greater.
As
 such, Dr Wong pointed out that it was important to get proper diagnosis
 to determine the risk of curve progression and guide patients to get 
the best form of treatment.
“Treatment is aimed at stopping curve 
progression and correcting deformity as severe curves carry a risk that 
the lung and heart function may become affected,” he explained.
Treatment options include observation, bracing and/or surgery.
“Surgery
 is only recommended for curves of 45 degress and greater or when the 
bracing treatment fail to arrest, slow down or improve the progression 
of curvature,” he said.
In brief, he added that milder deformity 
can be treated with brace while surgery will be needed to treat larger 
deformity and to prevent the worsening of scoliosis.
Meanwhile, 
Consultant Orthopaedic and Adult Reconstructive surgeon from Kuching 
Specialist Hospital Dr Lee Woo Guan shared that arthritis is a form of 
join disorder that involves the inflamation of the one or more joints.
“There
 are many types of arthritis including wear and tear of cartilage known 
as osteoarthritis as well as those associated with inflamation such as 
rheumatoid arthritis,” he explained.
The causes of arthritis, Dr Lee said, include injuries, hereditary factors and infections.
As such, he advised that earlier and accurate diagnosis was important to help prevent irreversible damage and disability.
He also disclosed recent advances in the treatment of common joint problems.
In
 the most severe cases, Dr Lee emphasised that surgical operations would
 be required for partial or total joint replacement or resurfacing to 
preserve the joint.
“For mild cases, we can look into advanced 
non-surgical interventions with injections, non-steroidal 
anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy or occupational therapy, orthoses
 and other aids,” he said.
Dr Lee advised people to watch out for the symptoms including pain, stiffness and limited function of joints.
“People with arthritis may experience difficulty going up and down the stairs or fatigue
 over short distance walk,” he added.
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