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You weren't too surprised when your 10-year-old showed some abnormal curvature when she performed the Adam's forward bend test at school. After all, your grandmother used to be 5'6", but thanks to the hunch in her back she's now about 5'3". You would prefer, though, that your daughter not suffer the same fate, but you don't want to just jump into surgery. Is there any way to get an accurate scoliosis prognosis? Up until about 2009, doctors had to rely solely on certain clinical factors to offer a prediction of how likely a patient's curvature was to progress to the point of requiring surgery. This included a combination of age, x-ray results, Risser score (a measurement of how developed the axial skeleton is), and Cobb angle (curvature in the apical vertebra above 10% is considered scoliosis). Thankfully, in the last few years, geneticists have developed a test using a child's saliva that is shown to be much more accurate in predicting the likelihood an Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) curve will progress. The test can be administered right in the doctor's office by collecting a simple saliva sample. It's effective for children ages 9 to 14. The test is sent to a lab to analyze the ratio of progressive genes, signs in DNA the curve will progress, to protective genes, signs in DNA that it will not progress. Both types of genes will be present, but it's the ratio processed through a validated algorithm that creates a score unique to the individual's genetic markers. The lab then sends a test report back to your doctor. Based on the test results and clinical observations your physician has already made, you can feel confident in the assessment of your child's scoliosis prognosis. Once you have an idea where things are going, your doctor can develop a personalized treatment plan so your daughter can reach and maintain her proper stature. About the Author: The ScoliScore™ Test (http://www.scoliscore.com/) is the first clinically validated and highly accurate genetic test for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) curve progression. Go to scoliosis prognosis to view the page!
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