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Scoliosis and Postural Problems

Scoliosis is a lateral deviation, an abnormal curvature of the spine to one side of the trunk, determined by the rotation of the vertebrae. An initial concern when we receive a patient with scoliosis in the office is to determine whether it is likely to progress or not.

More than 6 million Brazilians have the pathology, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The diagnosis takes into account a series of factors and characteristics of the patient, from the patient's clinical history; its asymmetry, observing the height of the shoulder and nipples; and physical examination and also radiological examinations.

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Scoliosis affects 2-3% of the population, or about 7 million people in the United States, affects babies, adolescents and adults around the world without distinction in relation to race or socioeconomic status. Scoliosis begins predominantly between 10 and 15 years of age, occurring equally among both sexes. However, women are eight times more likely to progress to a curve magnitude that requires treatment. Scoliosis can affect quality of life with limited activity, pain, reduced respiratory function or decreased self-esteem. Scoliosis is a multifactorial disorder that requires multidisciplinary monitoring.

Scoliosis can be classified according to severity, cause of scoliosis, pattern of location or form of presentation of curvatures. As for gravity we have:

Mild Grade: Mild scoliosis generally does not require clinical attention and is not as apparent as other posture disorders. Mild scoliosis is the term that describes scoliosis in which the spine's Cobb angle, or curvature, is less than 20 degrees. Mild scoliosis is the most responsive and curable with exercise.

Moderate: Moderate scoliosis can be treated with exercises using a brace prescribed by the specialist. However, moderate scoliosis progresses to severe scoliosis, defined as a curvature of the spine between 20-40 degrees.

Serious. Severe scoliosis means the curvature is greater than 40 degrees and usually needs to be corrected with spinal surgery.

 

Scoliosis in Children

Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity affecting children. In fact, cases of scoliosis in children in the US have now exceeded 4 million. Every year, around 133,300 children need to go to hospital because of scoliosis. In fact, spinal deformity in children and adolescents is responsible for the largest number of healthcare visits for musculoskeletal deformity.

 

Fortunately, treatments for scoliosis have expanded over the years. There are now non-surgical procedures you can choose to treat a spinal deformity. At Instituto Coluna Vertebral you will find professionals capable of recommending the best treatment for you.

During the consultation, we will perform a detailed physical postural examination and, if necessary, we will request imaging tests to measure possible postural changes and deformities in your spine and finally indicate the best treatment for your case.

In case of a mild curvature deformity of the spine, no surgery will be recommended and many mild cases do not require treatment.

Classification

Scoliosis can be classified according to severity, cause of scoliosis, pattern of location or form of presentation of curvatures. Most cases of scoliosis are of unknown cause, but there are also cases of adult scoliosis that are predominantly due to degenerative changes in the spine. As for the cause, we also have situations where scoliosis is congenital and is present from birth, and also those that arise from neurological problems, “paralytic scoliosis” which are related to motor control.

As for gravity we have:

Mild Degree: Mild scoliosis usually does not require medical attention and is not as apparent as other posture disorders. Mild scoliosis is the term that describes scoliosis in which the spine's Cobb angle, or curvature, is less than 20 degrees. Mild scoliosis is the most responsive and curable with exercise.

Moderate:

Moderate scoliosis can be treated with exercises using a brace prescribed by your doctor. However, moderate scoliosis progresses to severe scoliosis, defined as a curvature of the spine between 20-40 degrees.

Serious. Severe scoliosis means the curvature is greater than 40 degrees and usually needs to be corrected with spinal surgery.

Radiological examinations for Scoliosis

The panoramic X-ray is the most used exam to evaluate the spine in patients with scoliosis, allowing a global assessment, measurement of curvatures and compensations.

We will also assess skeletal maturity through radiological examinations to consider treatment approaches. Younger patients will grow older before choosing a course of treatment, which is why it is important to monitor postural and radiological assessments.

It is important to report symptoms of pain and restricted movement, breathing problems, difficulties with activities of daily living or limited body function or pain.

For younger patients, our experts may recommend a management and monitoring approach. Many children develop “idiopathic” scoliosis. In these cases, the cause is not always clear. Idiopathic scoliosis can occur during a patient's growth spurt years, usually between ages 10 and 18. In these cases, our experts will monitor curvature changes as the patient grows.

 

 

Adult Scoliosis or Degenerative Scoliosis

More and more cases of scoliosis in adults are being documented. A very common type of scoliosis in adults is degenerative scoliosis.

Degenerative scoliosis can cause disabling pain in the back or legs, affecting the patient's quality of life.

Adult scoliosis is characterized by low back pain, which is often accompanied by pain radiating to the legs.

Scoliosis Treatment

How your scoliosis is managed may vary based on different factors, including:

  • Age

  • type of scoliosis

  • compensation curve

 

Other clinical conditions associated with scoliosis or postural deviations

 

Don't let a spinal deformity affect your quality of life or future. Instead, consider these different scoliosis treatments. You can review these options with your doctor to determine the best course of action based on your case. Exploring your options right away will ensure you find the neck and back pain relief you need. The Spine Institute presents alternatives to stopping spinal deformation: exploring potential treatments for scoliosis.

Schedule your appointment now at Instituto Coluna Vertebral.

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