How to make a donation to the BSRF
National Scoliosis Register--Tenders Invited
How to Apply for a Research Grant
Examples of Research Funded by the BSRF
The Philip Zorab Symposium 3rd - 5th April 2006
British Scoliosis Research Foundation
Registered Charity Number 803772Patrons: Mr. Michael Atherton OBE, Mrs. Roald Dahl & Mr. Bernie Ecclestone
Scoliosis is a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. The curvature usually develops during adolescence and can worsen rapidly in the growing child.
In most cases the curvature is mild and does not cause problems for the child however, in severe cases (about 2 per thousand adolescents) the spine can become very deformed.
A normal spine appears curved when viewed from behind. In scoliosis the opposite is true: the spine appears straighter when viewed from the side and yet is curved when viewed from behind.
About 1 in 20 teenage girls have some asymmetry or scoliosis of the spin. The curve is progressive in about 1 in 20 of these girls. The averaged size secondary school will have1 girl who is affected by scoliosis requiring treatment.
About 2 per thousand teenage children will need major surgery to the spine for scoliosis, though sometimes bracing is enough stabilise the curvature. The affected child will have many radiological and other assessments and might need to be monitored in hospital clinics for many years before and after surgery.
Scoliosis is sometimes associated with other medical conditions such as muscular dystrophy or spina bifida – muscular and neurological conditions respectively. In most cases however, the cause is not known. In such cases (usually adolescent children) it is difficult to determine which curves will get worse. When to start treatment can only be determined by following a child regularly as an outpatient to see how rapidly the curvature is deteriorating, or whether it is stable. Because of the speed of deterioration, in some cases a deformity can be quite severe by the time treatment is possible.
The development of modern methods of treatment has meant that with prompt diagnosis most patients with scoliosis can look forward to considerable improvement in their scoliosis and to leading a normal life. However not all children with scoliosis will have results as good as those shown in the accompanying illustrations. Further research is desperately needed to establish the cause of scoliosis and to help children with this condition enjoy a healthy, active life.
The British Scoliosis Research Foundation is the only charity that exists solely promote research into the treatment of spinal deformities. The BSRF works closely with the Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK) SAUK– the national patients’ support organisation and also with the British Scoliosis Society– the organisation for doctors specialising in the treatment of Scoliosis. It funds a great deal of research into scoliosis and holds an international symposium to spread the knowledge gained from research.