Scoliosis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods
The article discusses the signs and symptoms of scoliosis, types of scoliosis and treatment modalities. Scoliosis is a medical disorder that causes abnormal or sideways curvature of the spine or backbone that generally occurs during the growth spurt just before the puberty. This spinal condition mainly occurs in the thoracic and thoracic-lumbar regions due to congenital or degenerative problems. Pain management doctors at leading multi-specialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn provide specialized treatment for patients with scoliosis. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some children happen to develop spine deformities that continue to get more severe as they grow. This condition is about two times more prevalent in girls than boys and can occur in any age, but it is most common among those above 10 years of age. The exact causes of this disease remain unknown, though it often results from the following factors – Infections to the spine Birth defects affecting the development of the bones of the spine Hereditary issues Neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy Signs and Symptoms The associated symptoms of scoliosis include – Uneven shoulders One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other Uneven waist One hip higher than the other Difficulty in breathing Leg and hip pain Knee pain Headache Chronic fatigue and future spinal kyphosis (widow’s hump) A tendency to lean to one side A prominent ribcage Back pain Menstrual-cycle disturbances
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Types of Scoliosis
▪ Degenerative – This disorder occurs due to traumatic injury or illness, bone collapse, previous surgery or osteoporosis.
▪ Neuromuscular - This condition occurs due to abnormal muscles/nerves or muscular diseases and is most generally seen in people with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and other nerve disorders.
▪ Idiopathic – There is no specific cause for this type of scoliosis, but strong evidence suggests that it is inherited.
▪ Congenital – This type of scoliosis occurs due to a bone abnormality during birth. Treating Scoliosis – Methods Physicians in reliable healthcare centers incorporate a combination of treatment methods to help patients to manage the condition:
✓ Physical therapy (PT) – PT helps strengthen the muscles, ease pain and improve flexibility in the region around the back. Strengthening and stretching exercises are prescribed to build up muscle strength and restore normal spinal function.
✓ Chiropractic care – This spinal manipulation technique helps to restore mobility of the joints and improves body movement without the need of medication or surgery. Chiropractic treatment is an effective option for back pain.
✓ Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS uses low voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system to address pain.
✓ Game Ready - This computer-controlled modality combines cold therapy and intermittent active compression is a popular pain management option for all types of musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic surgery rehabilitation.
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As part of the diagnosis, the physician will take a detailed medical history and also ask questions about recent developments. A detailed neurological exam will be conducted to check for muscle weakness, numbness and abnormal reflexes. In order to diagnose the range and severity of spinal curvature, the physician will recommend imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI scan of the lumbar spine. The treatment options recommended would depend on various factors such as the patient’s age, severity and growth of curve and exact location of the scoliosis.
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