Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition characterized by spinal curvature, such as the letters C or S. Scoliosis is more common in children before puberty, which is around 10-15 years.
Scoliosis that occurs is usually mild, but can become worse with age, especially in women. When scoliosis becomes severe, the patient may feel heart, lung or leg weakness.
Symptoms of scoliosis
The symptoms of scoliosis may differ depending on the severity of the disease. Symptoms that usually occur include:
Severe arching can cause discomfort in your back. The spine can also rotate so that the arch worsens and one of the ribs comes out from the other side. When the disease worsens, scoliosis can cause respiratory distress.
When to see a doctor
When you see a curved spine, if only slightly, see a doctor immediately. The goal is that scoliosis can be detected early and treated. Because if not, scoliosis can worsen slowly and without pain, eventually leading to complications that may be permanent.
Causes of scoliosis
Most cases of scoliosis are not responsible (idiopathic). However, several conditions can trigger scoliosis, namely:
Diagnosis of scoliosis
The diagnosis of scoliosis is made by the doctor starting by asking the symptoms experienced by the patient and his illness. Then the doctor will do a physical examination.
During a physical examination, the doctor will ask the patient to get up or bend down. The doctor will also check the condition of the nerves to determine whether there is weak muscle, stiffness or abnormal reflexes.
In addition to physical examinations, staff can also do X-rays and CT scans to confirm the presence of scoliosis and determine the severity of the curvature of the spine. If the doctor suspects that other spinal abnormalities are caused by something else, he can then do an MRI.
Scoliosis treatment
Scoliosis treatment is based on the severity, age and condition of the spinal arch.
Treatment of scoliosis in children
Treatment is not yet needed for benign scoliosis, because the spine can still return soon as we get older. Nevertheless, the development of this disease must be considered continuously by the doctors.
With regular checkups at the doctor, people can see the development of curved bone disease. The doctor can also do a radiological examination to monitor it.
In cases of more severe scoliosis, the child will be asked to wear back support. This support can no longer straighten the bones, but can prevent worsening of the spine.
Braces are usually made of plastic that is worn under the arm, around the rib cage, as well as on the lower back and hips. The shape is adjusted to the shape of the body, so it is almost invisible when you wear clothes.
To be more effective, these pads must be worn all day, except when the child is exercising. The use of braces can be stopped when spinal growth stops, namely:
For adult patients, where scoliosis often causes back pain, treatment by a doctor may be in the form of:
Scoliosis surgery
For severe cases of scoliosis, an orthopedic doctor can perform surgery. Operations that can be performed include:
The surgery that is often done in many cases of scoliosis is a combination of the above surgical techniques. Spinal surgery itself can also cause complications, such as infection or blood clots.
Complications of scoliosis
Complications that can occur in people with scoliosis include:
Scoliosis that occurs is usually mild, but can become worse with age, especially in women. When scoliosis becomes severe, the patient may feel heart, lung or leg weakness.
The symptoms of scoliosis may differ depending on the severity of the disease. Symptoms that usually occur include:
- People with scoliosis lean to one side
- One shoulder higher
- The scapula seems more prominent
- Height is not the same size
Severe arching can cause discomfort in your back. The spine can also rotate so that the arch worsens and one of the ribs comes out from the other side. When the disease worsens, scoliosis can cause respiratory distress.
When to see a doctor
When you see a curved spine, if only slightly, see a doctor immediately. The goal is that scoliosis can be detected early and treated. Because if not, scoliosis can worsen slowly and without pain, eventually leading to complications that may be permanent.
Causes of scoliosis
Most cases of scoliosis are not responsible (idiopathic). However, several conditions can trigger scoliosis, namely:
- Spinal injury.
- Spinal infection.
- Pads and spinal joints that start to wear out due to age (degenerative scoliosis).
- Congenital birth (congenital scoliosis).
- Nerve and muscle disorders (neuromuscular scoliosis), such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.
Diagnosis of scoliosis
The diagnosis of scoliosis is made by the doctor starting by asking the symptoms experienced by the patient and his illness. Then the doctor will do a physical examination.
During a physical examination, the doctor will ask the patient to get up or bend down. The doctor will also check the condition of the nerves to determine whether there is weak muscle, stiffness or abnormal reflexes.
In addition to physical examinations, staff can also do X-rays and CT scans to confirm the presence of scoliosis and determine the severity of the curvature of the spine. If the doctor suspects that other spinal abnormalities are caused by something else, he can then do an MRI.
Scoliosis treatment
Scoliosis treatment is based on the severity, age and condition of the spinal arch.
Treatment of scoliosis in children
Treatment is not yet needed for benign scoliosis, because the spine can still return soon as we get older. Nevertheless, the development of this disease must be considered continuously by the doctors.
With regular checkups at the doctor, people can see the development of curved bone disease. The doctor can also do a radiological examination to monitor it.
In cases of more severe scoliosis, the child will be asked to wear back support. This support can no longer straighten the bones, but can prevent worsening of the spine.
Braces are usually made of plastic that is worn under the arm, around the rib cage, as well as on the lower back and hips. The shape is adjusted to the shape of the body, so it is almost invisible when you wear clothes.
To be more effective, these pads must be worn all day, except when the child is exercising. The use of braces can be stopped when spinal growth stops, namely:
- Two years after girls start menstruating.
- When a mustache or beard on a boy's face begins to grow.
- When there is no extra height.
For adult patients, where scoliosis often causes back pain, treatment by a doctor may be in the form of:
- Providing painkillers
- To relieve inflammation and pain, the doctor will give nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.
- Corticosteroid injections into the spinal cavity
- Corticosteroid injections are given if the patient feels pressure on the spinal cord, causing pain, stiffness or tingling. These injections only work for a short time, a few weeks or months.
Scoliosis surgery
For severe cases of scoliosis, an orthopedic doctor can perform surgery. Operations that can be performed include:
- Bone joint surgery
- In this operation, two or more vertebrae combine to form bone.
- laminectomy
- In laminectomy surgery, the curved part of the spine is removed to reduce pressure on the nerves.
- Dectectomy
- This operation removes one of the pads or disks from the spine to reduce pressure on the nerves.
The surgery that is often done in many cases of scoliosis is a combination of the above surgical techniques. Spinal surgery itself can also cause complications, such as infection or blood clots.
Complications of scoliosis
Complications that can occur in people with scoliosis include:
- Heart and lung disorders
- This condition can occur when ribs press on the heart and lungs.
- Chronic back pain
- This condition is usually experienced by adults with scoliosis.
- Annoying appearance
- When the condition of scoliosis worsens, appearance is disrupted. For example, the position of the shoulder or hip is not symmetrical, the ribs are loose and the position of the waist and torso changes.
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Spinal deformity scoliosis can suppress the spinal cord and cause lesions. Damage to the spinal cord can cause various disorders, such as impotence, urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, tingling or weakness in the legs.
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