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By Lukman Olabiyi
Medical experts have called for increased public awareness of scoliosis, warning that widespread misconceptions about the condition have continued to hinder early diagnosis and treatment.
The call was made during activities marking World Scoliosis Day in Lagos, where healthcare professionals, advocates and stakeholders gathered to promote understanding of the spinal disorder and encourage early detection.
The event, organised by the Scoliosis Focus Foundation in collaboration with Gbagada General Hospital, featured free scoliosis screening and hands-on clinical training on the use of the scoliometer, a device used to detect spinal curvature.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Every Spine Deserves Attention, Every Person Deserves Care’, the experts stressed that timely diagnosis remains crucial to preventing complications associated with scoliosis.
They noted that scoliosis, characterised by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, is often misunderstood, leading to stigma, fear and misinformation among affected individuals and their families.
A chief surgeon for spinal disorder, Dr. Shobode Mutaleeb Ayodele, dispelled common myths surrounding the condition, explaining that scoliosis is not caused by carrying heavy loads, poor posture or sleeping positions.
He stated that many cases of scoliosis, particularly among adolescents, have no known cause. He added that symptoms might include uneven shoulders, an uneven waistline, a prominent shoulder blade or a visible spinal curve.
Also speaking, Secretary of the Medical Guild, Lagos State, Dr. Aisudo Charles Kolawole, underscored the importance of routine screening, especially among children and teenagers, as the condition often develops during growth spurts before puberty.
He warned that untreated severe scoliosis could result in chronic pain, breathing difficulties and a reduced quality of life.
The founder of the Scoliosis Focus Foundation, Dr. Ayomide Akintan-Adejuwon, urged parents, teachers and caregivers to seek medical evaluation whenever signs of spinal abnormalities are noticed and called for scoliosis screening to be integrated into routine health programmes.
The experts reaffirmed that with early diagnosis and appropriate medical care, many people living with scoliosis could lead healthy, active and productive lives.
