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Scoliosis
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Published: September 22, 2006
“Don't get bent out of shape” is a saying that takes on new meaning for the scoliosis sufferer.
Spines have evolved to curve toward both the back and front of the body. However, a healthy spine, when viewed from the back, should appear to be a straight line. In a scoliosis-affected spine, however, the vertebrae form a curve of more than 10 degrees when viewed from the back.
The term scoliosis means crookedness. The ancient Greek physician Galen used the term to describe the lateral curve of the spine. Lateral, here means a curve from side-to-side (as opposed to front-to-back).
There are four main types of scoliosis. The most common is idiopathic scoliosis. Affecting around 80 to 85 percent of those who suffer from scoliosis, its cause is unknown. Congenital scoliosis is present at birth, and is caused by birth defects which affect the way the spine fuses or is segmented. Neuromuscular scoliosis results from cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Degenerative scoliosis only affects adults. This type of scoliosis results when the discs of the spine age and degenerate, or support in the spinal column weakens. Each of these types of scoliosis share common symptoms: poor posture and back pain, as well as tingling, numbness or pain in the legs.
Patients have a variety of treatment options available to help them cope with scoliosis. One such option is an endoscopic thoracic release, in which the deformed spine is corrected through surgery. Spinal disks and ligaments are adjusted to restore a normal spinal shape. Another option, endoscopic correction, is less invasive than a thoracic release since the incision is smaller. Yet another option is a spinal fusion, in which a doctor attaches titanium rods to either side of the spine. A bone graft assists the fusion process by encouraging the vertebrae to remain straight.
Sometimes surgery is not the best option for patients. Doctors may simply observe a patient for several months, especially if he or she is still growing, to monitor the state of the spinal curve. This is most often performed when the curve is less than 25 degrees. Doctors also recommend a back brace for patients with curves of more than 25 to 30 degrees. Again, doctors prefer this option for children and adolescents in whom the spine is still growing.
Though researchers have not proven that exercise alone can prevent scoliosis from worsening, there is no doubt that maintaining strong back muscles (as well as good posture) help to promote a healthy structural support system for the spine.
Sources:
Neuwirth, Michael and Kevin Osborn. The Scoliosis Sourcebook. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2001.
Sutton, Amy L., ed. Back and Neck Sourcebook. Detroit: Omnigraphics, Inc., 2004
Spines have evolved to curve toward both the back and front of the body. However, a healthy spine, when viewed from the back, should appear to be a straight line. In a scoliosis-affected spine, however, the vertebrae form a curve of more than 10 degrees when viewed from the back.
The term scoliosis means crookedness. The ancient Greek physician Galen used the term to describe the lateral curve of the spine. Lateral, here means a curve from side-to-side (as opposed to front-to-back).
There are four main types of scoliosis. The most common is idiopathic scoliosis. Affecting around 80 to 85 percent of those who suffer from scoliosis, its cause is unknown. Congenital scoliosis is present at birth, and is caused by birth defects which affect the way the spine fuses or is segmented. Neuromuscular scoliosis results from cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Degenerative scoliosis only affects adults. This type of scoliosis results when the discs of the spine age and degenerate, or support in the spinal column weakens. Each of these types of scoliosis share common symptoms: poor posture and back pain, as well as tingling, numbness or pain in the legs.
Patients have a variety of treatment options available to help them cope with scoliosis. One such option is an endoscopic thoracic release, in which the deformed spine is corrected through surgery. Spinal disks and ligaments are adjusted to restore a normal spinal shape. Another option, endoscopic correction, is less invasive than a thoracic release since the incision is smaller. Yet another option is a spinal fusion, in which a doctor attaches titanium rods to either side of the spine. A bone graft assists the fusion process by encouraging the vertebrae to remain straight.
Sometimes surgery is not the best option for patients. Doctors may simply observe a patient for several months, especially if he or she is still growing, to monitor the state of the spinal curve. This is most often performed when the curve is less than 25 degrees. Doctors also recommend a back brace for patients with curves of more than 25 to 30 degrees. Again, doctors prefer this option for children and adolescents in whom the spine is still growing.
Though researchers have not proven that exercise alone can prevent scoliosis from worsening, there is no doubt that maintaining strong back muscles (as well as good posture) help to promote a healthy structural support system for the spine.
Sources:
Neuwirth, Michael and Kevin Osborn. The Scoliosis Sourcebook. Chicago: Contemporary Books, 2001.
Sutton, Amy L., ed. Back and Neck Sourcebook. Detroit: Omnigraphics, Inc., 2004
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