What is scoliosis

This is clinical condition that affects the spine that results in an unnatural curve form side to side. Experts state that it is a 3 dimensional rotational deformity.  Despite the fact that medical journals state various causes of this state, 80 % of them are idiopathic, i.e. their causes are not known.

This 3 dimensional deformity appears in the shape of S or C when observed in an X-RAY.

As per statistics, populations of 7 million people suffer from this disease in the Amercia.

Scoliosis in adults and children

There are two types of scoliosis

• Postural- This occurs when the person

• Does not sit or stand in a correct posture
• Has short lower limbs
• Suffers from disk prolapsed pain.

It is usually temporary and does not have wedging or rotational deformities. Though this condition is temporary, it can become permanent of the person continues to sit in the same position for a long time.

• Structural scoliosis- This is a more permanent form of scoliosis that cannot be corrected even after changing of posture. Medically, the causes of this disorder can been classified as

• Congenital- from the time of birth
• Idiopathic- unknown causes
• Neuromuscular
• Mesodermal
• Radiation therapy
• Skeletal deformities such as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, metatrophic dwarfism and diastrophic dwarfism.
• Infections such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Brucellosis
• Tumors such as meningiomas and neurofibromas
• Heart disease and hormonal imbalance can also lead to this disease.

Scoliosis symptoms

• The musculature on one side of the bone could be irregular
• Due to rotation of the rib cage, one side of the bone could be more prominent than the other sides. This occurs only is thoracic scoliosis
• There is a difference in length of the lower limbs that affects the gait of the patient. This could be due to uneven hips or length of their legs.
• The reaction of the nerves slows down. This is evident in cases where a man realizes that his body part is near a hot object only after suffering from serious burns.
• The person may be suffering from fatigue and lethargy as the capacity of the lungs decreases which exerts extra pressure on the heart.

Affects of Scoliosis

Patients with scoliosis die earlier that healthy people due to complications that are associated with this disease. It can be a hindrance in the personal and professional life of the patient as it restricts their movements. Scoliosis also has an impact on the cardiovascular system and can lead to various heart diseases including stroke. Besides, it also tends to affect other systems that can lead to respiratory failures and restrictive lung diseases.

Scoliosis treatment

This disease cannot be completely treated. However, its progression can be controlled due to which there are various ways to manage it. Scoliosis Surgery can correct the deformities partially and can also control the progression of this disease. However, this depends on the stage and severity of the disease and also the age of the patient. Some cannot go for an operation as they are susceptible to some serious postoperative complications.

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