Scoliosis or Spinal curvature...!!
Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone’s spine naturally curves a tiny bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. The spine might look like the letter “C” or “S.”
Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone’s spine naturally curves a tiny bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. The spine might look like the letter “C” or “S.”
Causes
Most of the time, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It is the most common type. It is grouped by age.
In children age 3 and younger, it is called infantile scoliosis.
In kids age 4 - 10, it is called juvenile scoliosis.
In older kids age 11 - 18, it is called adolescent scoliosis.
Scoliosis most often affects girls. Some people are just more likely to have curving of the spine. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.
Other types of scoliosis are:
Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is present at birth. It occurs when the baby’s ribs or spine bones do not form properly.
Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type is caused by a nervous system problem that affects your muscles, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.
Symptoms:
Usually there are no symptoms. But symptoms can include:
Backache or low-back pain
Tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for a long time
Uneven hips or shoulders (one shoulder may be higher than the other)
Spine curves more to one side
Kyphoscoliosis is another type of abnormal curving of the spine
Treatment:
Treatment depends on many things:
The cause of scoliosis
Where the curve is in your spine
How big the curve is
If your body is still growing
Most people with idiopathic scoliosis do not need treatment. However, you should be checked by a doctor about every 6 months.
If you are still growing, your doctor might recommend a back brace. A back brace prevents further curving. There are many different types of braces. What kind you get depends on the size and location of your curve. Your health care provider will pick the best one for you and show you how to use it. Back braces can be adjusted as you grow.
Back braces work best in people over age 10. Braces do not work for those with congenital or neuromuscular scoliosis.
Sometimes, surgery is needed.
Scoliosis treatment may also include:
Emotional support. Some kids, especially teens, may be self-conscious when using a back brace
Physical therapy and other specialists to help explain the treatments and make sure the brace fits correctly.
Outlook (Prognosis):
How well you do depends on the type, cause, and severity of the curve. The more severe the curving, the more likely it will get worse after you stop growing.
People with mild scoliosis do very well with braces. They usually do not have long-term problems. However, scoliosis can make you more likely to have back pain when you get older.
The outlook for those with neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis varies. Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis have another serious disorder (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy) so their goals are much different. Often the goal of surgery is simply to allow a child to be able to sit upright in a wheelchair.
Congenital scoliosis is difficult to treat and usually requires many surgeries.
Possible Complications:
Complications of scoliosis can include:
Breathing problems (in severe scoliosis)
Low back pain
Lower self-esteem
Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones
Spinal infection after surgery
Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery
Most of the time, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It is the most common type. It is grouped by age.
In children age 3 and younger, it is called infantile scoliosis.
In kids age 4 - 10, it is called juvenile scoliosis.
In older kids age 11 - 18, it is called adolescent scoliosis.
Scoliosis most often affects girls. Some people are just more likely to have curving of the spine. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.
Other types of scoliosis are:
Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is present at birth. It occurs when the baby’s ribs or spine bones do not form properly.
Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type is caused by a nervous system problem that affects your muscles, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.
Symptoms:
Usually there are no symptoms. But symptoms can include:
Backache or low-back pain
Tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for a long time
Uneven hips or shoulders (one shoulder may be higher than the other)
Spine curves more to one side
Kyphoscoliosis is another type of abnormal curving of the spine
Treatment:
Treatment depends on many things:
The cause of scoliosis
Where the curve is in your spine
How big the curve is
If your body is still growing
Most people with idiopathic scoliosis do not need treatment. However, you should be checked by a doctor about every 6 months.
If you are still growing, your doctor might recommend a back brace. A back brace prevents further curving. There are many different types of braces. What kind you get depends on the size and location of your curve. Your health care provider will pick the best one for you and show you how to use it. Back braces can be adjusted as you grow.
Back braces work best in people over age 10. Braces do not work for those with congenital or neuromuscular scoliosis.
Sometimes, surgery is needed.
Scoliosis treatment may also include:
Emotional support. Some kids, especially teens, may be self-conscious when using a back brace
Physical therapy and other specialists to help explain the treatments and make sure the brace fits correctly.
Outlook (Prognosis):
How well you do depends on the type, cause, and severity of the curve. The more severe the curving, the more likely it will get worse after you stop growing.
People with mild scoliosis do very well with braces. They usually do not have long-term problems. However, scoliosis can make you more likely to have back pain when you get older.
The outlook for those with neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis varies. Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis have another serious disorder (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy) so their goals are much different. Often the goal of surgery is simply to allow a child to be able to sit upright in a wheelchair.
Congenital scoliosis is difficult to treat and usually requires many surgeries.
Possible Complications:
Complications of scoliosis can include:
Breathing problems (in severe scoliosis)
Low back pain
Lower self-esteem
Persistent pain if there is wear and tear of the spine bones
Spinal infection after surgery
Spine or nerve damage from an uncorrected curve or spinal surgery
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