Neuro Spine Care

SCOLIOSIS

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature deformity of the spine that often occurs during the growth spurt just before puberty. While Scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most Scoliosis is unknown.

Most Scoliosis cases are mild, but some spine deformities continue to get more severe with age resulting in major functional disabilities, such as reducing space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

Children who have mild Scoliosis are monitored, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. Wearing a brace can stop the curve from worsening in some cases. Some cases may require surgery to keep Scoliosis from worsening and to straighten severe cases of Scoliosis.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON TYPES OF SCOLIOSIS ︖

The most common type of Scoliosis is idiopathic Scoliosis, a term used to refer to cases with no definite cause. Idiopathic Scoliosis is divided according to age groups.Adolescent idiopathic Scoliosis is the most common type.

Cause of different types of Scoliosis include :

Congenital Scoliosis - Spinal deformities by birth

Neurological Scoliosis - Nerve abnormalities affect muscles in the spine

Structural Scoliosis - Deformity can be caused by an injury, disease, or birth defect and is permanent.

Non-structural Scoliosis - Temporary curves that can be fixed.

SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of Scoliosis may include :-

Uneven shoulders
One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other
Uneven waist
One hip higher than the other.

If a Scoliosis curve gets worse, the spine may also rotate or twist. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to stick out farther than on the other side.

CAUSES

Most Scoliosis causes are still unknown - although hereditary factors can be a common reason. Less common types of Scoliosis may be caused by :

Neuromuscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
Birth defects affecting the development of the bones of the spine
Injuries to or infections of the spine

RISK FACTORS

Risk factors for developing the most common type of Scoliosis include :

Age - Signs usually begin during the growth spurt that occurs just before puberty.
Sex - Girls have a much higher risk of curve worseningthan boys than boys.
Family history - Scoliosis can run in families, but most children with Scoliosis don't have a family history of the disease.

COMPLICATIONS

While most people with Scoliosis have a mild form of the disorder, Scoliosis may sometimes cause complications, including :

Lung and heart damage- The rib cage may get pressed against the lungs and heart, causing difficulty breathing and pumping blood.
Back problems- Adults who had Scoliosis are more likely to have chronic back problems.
Worsen Scoliosis show noticeable changes, including uneven shoulders and hips, a shift of the waist and trunk to the side and prominent ribs.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the severity of the case and the degree of spine curvature. Your doctor will also take into consideration

Your age
whether you’re likely to continue growing
the amount and type of curvature
the type of the Scoliosis

The primary treatment options are Bracing and Surgery

A. Bracing

A person with Scoliosis may require braces if the curvature is still growing and is more than 25 to 40 degrees.Braces prevent the curvature from increasing but don’t help in spine straightening. This method of treatment is effective for early detected cases.Those requiring a brace need to wear it 16 to 23 hours a day until they stop growing.

There are two main types of braces :

Underarm : Underarm brace is made of plastic and fits close to the body, and is virtually invisible. It treats lower spine curves and fits around the lower part of the body.

Milwaukee : This brace starts at the neck and covers the entire torso, except the legs and arms.

B. Surgery

Surgery is needed for people with curves more significant than 40 degrees. However, consult your doctor about this option if you've been diagnosed with Scoliosis and feel the curvature is interrupting your daily life or causing you discomfort.

Spinal fusion is the standard Scoliosis surgery. In this procedure, the doctor fuses the vertebrae using a bone graft, rods, and screws. The bone graft consists of bone or a material like it.

The rods keep the spine in a straight position, and the screws hold them in place. The bone graft and vertebrae fuse into a single bone, and the rods can be adjusted in children with age.

Risks of spinal fusion surgery include :

Excessive bleeding
Failure to heal
Infection
Pain
Nerve damage

Certain therapies can help manage Scoliosis pain, such as hydrotherapy, massage, electrical stimulation, and back braces.These methods help in reducing pain and discomfort :

Exercise :

Exercise and stretching for Scoliosis pain symptoms can’t fix the problem but helps in muscle strengthening and support.

Medication :

Pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation.

Chiropractic treatment :

Chiropractic treatment may aid in alleviating pain and increase flexibility while living with Scoliosis but isn’t a cure for the curvature of Scoliosis.