Spinal curve
What to do
This will depend on:
• how severe the curve is.
• if it is getting worse—and
if so, how quickly.
• whether the curve is fixed.
• the age of the child.
In a child who does not stand,
check spinal curve while he
is sitting. If one
side of his butt
is weaker and
smaller, it may
cause a
hip tilt.
Put a book or board under
the weaker butt, and see
if this straightens his
spine. If so, a cushion
raised on one side may
help him sit
straighter.
How severe the curve is and whether it is getting worse can be best measured by
X-rays.
1. For each curve,
pick the 2
vertebrae that tilt
most in relation
to each other.
2. Draw lines level
with the top of
each vertebra.
3. Measure and record
the angle of the
spinal curve.
4. Regularly record
the curve and
notice any
changes.
Because X-rays are expensive and often hard to get, you can get some idea of
whether the curve is getting worse by measuring the angle of the rib hump.
Be sure the
top piece is
completely
level. You
can use a
carpenter’s
level or a
homemade
one (see box).
Measure
this angle.
Have the child stand or sit as straight as
possible, while he bends forward.
A homemade level for measuring rib hump angle
Fill the
tube with
colored
water so
that the
water
reaches the
top edge of
the board at
both ends
when level.
piece of thin
plastic tube
(old I.V. tube)
When measuring
the rib hump,
level the top
by making sure
the water is at
the top edge of the
board at both ends.
If the rib hump angle stays about the same month after month, the curve is probably
not getting worse. Keep checking it every few months. If the rib hump angle increases
steadily, the curve is getting worse. X-rays should be taken and a decision made about
what to do.
Non-fixed curves that are not getting worse should usually be treated only by doing
something about the underlying problem.
163
For example, if the child’s spinal curve is not
fixed and comes from a hip tilt due to unequal
leg length:
Measure
the
difference
in leg
length (see
p. 34).
Level
the hips
by
standing
on books
or
boards.
Put a lift on
shoe or sandal
(see p. 549).
This child was
developing a spinal
curve due to hip
tilt and short leg.
Village
rehabilitation
workers put
a lift on his
sandal.
This corrected
his spinal curve
and lop-sided
posture.
disabled village children