Scoliosis is a type of spinal deformity many people struggle with. For this reason, America declared June the national Scoliosis awareness month.
Medical practitioners don’t know what causes the condition. However, the good news is that it can be managed, especially if detected early. Scoliosis affects infants as well. Females are the most affected as compared to their male counterparts. Below is a simple guide to understanding Scoliosis.
The Definition
It is a condition that causes the spine to curve to the front, back or sideways. Scoliosis takes a C or S shape. If it is not attended to, it can lead to chronic pain and respiratory problems (such as short breath) when it reduces space in the chest.
Types of Scoliosis
The different categories of this condition depend on the age of an individual. They are:
Infantile (below 3 years old)
Juvenile (3-10 years old)
Adolescent (10-18 years old)
The other types include congenital Scoliosis at birth and neuromuscular Scoliosis caused by an issue in the nervous system such as cerebral palsy.
The Symptoms
To identify Scoliosis, look out for characteristics such as uneven hips, shoulders, waist, and spine. You may notice leaning to the right or left side, one shoulder being higher than the other or one hip being more prominent.
It’s easy to identify the curvature when one is not wearing clothes on the upper body. It could be at home, the swimming pool, or at the beach.
The Causes
The causes of spinal curvature are as follows:
Hereditary factors
Sex
Age
Muscle disorders
Abnormal metabolism of fibrillin
A family with a history of the condition may pass it across generations. The female gender is more likely to develop this spinal deformity than males. About age, arthritis contributes to Scoliosis, as it weakens the bone structure.
Diagnosis
Once you notice you or your loved one has any of the symptoms, you should visit a well equipped hospital. The doctor will conduct an MRI scan, a CT scan or an X-ray of the back. From here, you will be advised on different treatments to consider depending on the severity of Scoliosis.
Treatment
There are surgical and nonsurgical treatment methods, but as mentioned earlier, it only depends on how serious the Scoliosis is.
Timely detection of Scoliosis makes treatment a lot easier and less painful. For example, not everyone needs surgery. It is only for the severe cases. Some patients may only require bracing to correct the spine. For others, it could be a matter of observing the back and evaluating its progress to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
In children, it can be simpler treating Scoliosis because their bones are not yet hardened, as is the case with adults. When it comes to surgery, a patient undergoes lumbar spinal fusion. It ensures bones in the spine grow together. This way, no space in between can cause curving or movement. The procedure decreases pressure on the area to ease the pain.
At Spine Consult NJ, we offer a variety of spine treatments. It doesn’t matter how mild or severe your back problem is. We can help you ease the discomfort. Contact us for more.