This book describes Scoliosis, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine
It is usually noticed in puberty and grows with time
Young female adolescents are affected more than male
Scoliosis screening should done in schools for both males and females
Usually there are no symptoms except a slight fatigue in the spine
There may uneven shoulders or hips that showed up over time
The most important test is the Bend Forward test
Where one shoulder blade is higher than the rest
X-rays and MRI of the spine will then confirm the severity
Constant observation will determine the need for surgery
Measurement of the curvature will help decide the treatment
Mild scoliosis do not require any adjustment
Moderate scoliosis may require the wearing of back braces
Which should prevent further curving of the spine at all places
Severe scoliosis may require surgical intervention
With metal rods, bolts and screws and vertebral fusion
-An original poem by Kenneth Kee
Idiopathic scoliosis is grouped by age:
Infantile scoliosis: 0 to 3 years
Juvenile scoliosis: 4 to 10 years
Adolescent scoliosis: 11 to 18 years
Adult scoliosis: 18+ years
Of these, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most frequent
Other types:
1.Congenital, in which spinal deformities are obvious at birth (or Birth defects)
It happens when the baby's ribs or spine bones do not develop properly.
Birth defects can involve an infant's spinal bones, such as spina bifida
2.Neurological abnormalities, when nerve abnormalities involve muscles in the spine
a.Cerebral palsy, a group of nervous system disorders that involve movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking
b.Spinal injuries or infections such as poliomyelitis
3.Genetic disorders
Muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness
Girls tend more prone to have a more severe form of scoliosis than boys
The treatment is dependent on many things:
1.The degree of spine curvature of scoliosis
2.The location of the curve in the spine
3.The cause and type of curvature
4.If the body is still growing
5.The Age of the patient
Observation-Wait and watch
Orthosis-braces
Operative Intervention- surgery of the spine
Updated treatment at December 2018:
Early Intervention and Scoliosis-Specific Rehabilitation
The novel treatment approach is to improve curve flexibility, mobilize the spinal joints, and train the brain to learn a new spinal position automatically and permanently.
Improve Scoliosis Detection:
A tool termed a Scoliometer also helps to determine small curves.
Early discovery is particularly important if scoliosis runs in the family
It is much better than the 80year Cobb's measurement.
Scoliosis causes a twisting of the spine around its axis.
This is produced by lateral bending and rotation of spinal movement patterns
This twisting produces severe torque that makes the present spinal curve twist and bend even more
Scoliosis training is directed on correcting that neuromuscular miscommunication.
The intended result is to stop progression and decrease the curve as much as possible.
Genetic variant testing for scoliosis is becoming more popular
This is a stimulating new direction for scoliosis treatment
There are known genetic variations in scoliosis that affect estrogen metabolism, bone density and neurotransmitter conversion
The low success rates of scoliosis braces combined with the physical and emotional damage they produce make doctors ask why anyone would prescribe them
Surgery causes the spine to straighten at the cost of mobility and degeneration
Good Exercise Stretches such as h