Scoliosis is a condition in which a person's spine becomes bent and abnormal, due to injury, unhealthy lifestyle or weak back muscles. Most SMA patients will experience scoliosis because the muscles that support the spine become progressively weaker as a result of SMA disorder. Usually, the doctor will encourage the patient to undergo a physiotherapy session if the condition of bending the spine is still early. There are also patients with scoliosis who need body braces to control and slow down the rate of spinal bending. At a critical stage, doctors will usually perform spine surgery by inserting an iron rod and fastening it with screws to straighten the spine that is getting poorer. Scoliosis needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent the main internal organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach and intestines from being compressed or dislocated from their proper position so that they can develop and function properly. The risk of other diseases for an SMA patient is high if the curvature of the spine is not treated.
