In the "Extreme Spine Surgery" episode of Surgery Saved My Life, Margaret and Juma battled extreme cases of scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. But most cases are not as severe or life-threatening.

What Is Scoliosis?
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the National Institutes of Health define scoliosis as a side-to-side curvature of the spine of over 10 degrees when measured by X-ray. The spine may look like an "S" or a "C." Mild to moderate cases may not cause problems, but severe cases may be painful. In more advanced cases, where the rib cage or chest is rotated, breathing can be difficult. Juma had a left-to-right curvature of 140 degrees combined with a front-to-back curvature of 130 degrees.

Who Gets It?
Only about 2 percent of the population has scoliosis. Most cases are "idiopathic," meaning the cause is unknown; however, doctors know that scoliosis is hereditary. The gene causing it has not been identified. Scoliosis tends to develop in middle to late childhood before puberty and is seen more often in girls than boys. Margaret's rare case developed by the time she was 2 and her twisted back threatened to crush her lungs as she grew, requiring life-saving surgery.

Signs and Symptoms
* Uneven shoulders
* One shoulder blade that appears more prominent that the other
* Uneven waist
* One hip higher than the other
* Leaning to one side

The AAOS suggests that any of these symptoms seen in an 8-year-old child in a family with a history of scoliosis warrant an examination by a physician. Some schools sponsor scoliosis screenings as well.

Treatment
Most cases of scoliosis will only require observation, with doctor visits over three to six months. Bracing may be recommended for children with a spinal curvature over 20 degrees to prevent additional deformity. If the curve of the spine is over 45 degrees, surgery may be recommended. As seen in "Extreme Spine Surgery," a series of steel rods, wires and screws may be used to straighten the spine.