Idiopathic Scoliosis Research Paper

After a quick x-ray I wait for the doctor for what seems like hours, when she finally enters the room she looks in my eyes and says the exact word I was praying not to hear... “unfortunately”. My heart drops, she continues, “The x-rays showed a significant change in your curve.” I sit there, staring at the doctor, pale faced and in shock. When you have scoliosis, your spinal curve is measured in degrees, at around a 20 degree curve you would be

The spine is one of the most important structures in the human body. The spine is located in the dorsal cavity and consists of 24 bones, called vertebrae. These vertebrae play a crucial role in protected the body’s command center, the spinal cord. But what happens when a disorder prevents the spinal column from functioning correctly? Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes abnormal lateral curvature of the spine and it effects millions of people in the US per year. I have chosen this disorder because I am aspiring to become a chiropractor and scoliosis is a typical condition that chiropractors help treat on a daily basis.

Scoliosis is a disease that affects the spine. There are many people that have spine problems, but with scoliosis a person will have a curved spine. Studies show that it is more common to diagnose someone in their younger years. Scoliosis usually occurs in the thoracic area and the lumbar region. Doctors will look at specific criteria to diagnose a patient and move onto possible treatments.

Doctors may provide a back brace for patients, but most will have to undergo surgery (juvenile). The last sub-type of idiopathic scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This type occurs between the age ten to young adulthood. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is also known as AIS, this is also the most common type with the best profession (adolescent). Idiopathic cases are mostly graceful and painless. This is normally noticeable when someone is bending over. Sometimes the scoliosis is not noticed by the patient's parents because it is usually mild to moderate. The reason for this is because it usually develops during adolescence when children become more self-conscious (what are). Congenital scoliosis is the second type of scoliosis. This type of scoliosis occurs in the womb. Children develop a lateral curvature of the spine even before birth. Congenital means that abnormal development is the cause of the condition (congenital). The last type of scoliosis is Neuromuscular scoliosis, this is caused by the presence of a neurological or muscular disease. This is where cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy affect scoliosis. There are numerous types of diseases that can cause neuromuscular scoliosis. Treatment for this type is very unpredictable because the abnormal curves in the spine are also unpredictable (neuromuscular

Kyphosis is a forward adjusting of the back. Normally has a forward curve of 20 to 40 degrees. Some adjusting is typical, however the expression "kyphosis" for the most part relates to a misrepresented adjusting of the back. While kyphosis can happen at any age, it's most regular in more older women. Age-related kyphosis frequently happens after osteoporosis debilitates spinal issues that remains to be worked out point that they split. Different sorts of kyphosis are found in newborn children or young children because of mutation of the spine or wedging of the spinal bones after some time. A kind of kyphosis that happens in youthful teens is known as Scheuermann’s disease. It is brought on by the wedging together of a few bones of the spine (vertebrae) consecutively. The reason for this condition is still unknown. One specific kind of kyphosis is Scheuermann's kyphosis, otherwise called Scheuermann's ailment. A radiologist initially found Scheuermann's in the mid-1920s, and the condition is named after him. Scheuermann's kyphosis is described by wedge-molded vertebrae that cause the thoracic spine to bend forward excessively.

Some also have a curvature of the neck and spine, which is called scoliosis, as described before. This forms in a child in their developmental stages during childhood that can cause problems with breathing later in their life, if not monitored and treated appropriately. These changes in the spine and neck may also increase the risk of serious spinal cord damage or even clubfoot. Clubfoot is a hip joint deformity in which the upper leg bones turn inward causing the person to have an extremely hard time walking and doing other activities including most sports, or even standing for long periods of

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disease that affects a part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. Spinal muscular atrophy involves the loss of nerve cells called motor neurons in the spinal cord, which may also be known as motor neuron disease. The motor neurons receive “signals” from the brain to the spinal cord, and then they in turn send signals to our muscles. When these signals do not transmit properly, this is what causes spinal muscular atrophy. It is the number one genetic cause for newborn deaths. There are four types of spinal muscular atrophy, based on age the patient is, and the highest physical milestone achieved by the patient. Type 1 also known as Werdnig Hoffman disease, Type 2 also known

Scoliosis is the abnormal curve of spine that looks like a C or S shape that pushes out laterally and creates visible or non-visible defect to the affected person. This is not a disease, nor is it contagious and this is not developed by certain actions or lack of care. This has been studied by experts and questions have been raised on whether a chiropractic scoliosis treatment is best for those who are suffering from this condition.

“Thoracic curve, 37 degrees, lumbar curve, 18 degrees.” This is the type of language I’m used to hearing now because I have scoliosis. I was diagnosed when I was fourteen, but with multiple doctors saying the curves wouldn’t get worse, I continued doing competitive dance. When I got an x-ray a year later, the curves had worsened. A doctor told me I had to quit dance; otherwise, I would end up needing surgery, which might not be beneficial in the long run. I quit dance to avoid surgery, and when my family finally found a doctor who could help correct scoliosis, I started treatment.

In a normal skeletal structure, the adult vertebral column shows four slight bends called normal curves when it is viewed from the side. The vertebral column consists of seven cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, five lumbar vertebrae, a sacrum and a coccyx. The curve of the vertebral column help maintains the upright position, protect the vertebrae from fracture and absorb shocks during walking. However, osteoporosis results in three types of abnormal curves of the vertebral column which is kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis. Kyphosis is a condition of an outward curvature of the spine causing hunching of the back where it is common among females with advanced osteoporosis. Meanwhile, lordosis is an excessive inward curvature of the

Prognosis for a child with scoliosis can be like any other teen, and most can look forward to normal active lives. The outcome would depend greatly on the severity, age and amount of time left for bone growth (Scoliosis Research Society, 2016). Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the outcome for the child. Furthermore, idiopathic scoliosis does not typically result in pain or neurological problems. The spinal curve itself does not put pressure on the lungs or heart, so it would be abnormal for the patient to experience shortness of breath or pain (Scoliosis Research Society, 2016). If this occurs, it is important for the patient to receive medical treatment.

In 2010, Silva and Lenke added that the classification and analysis methods are very important to assist in the treatment choice and must be further researched. Lastly, in order to successfully classify the idiopathic scoliosis, improvements of diagnostic materials is required, per Lechner and colleagues

Spondylolisthesis is a medical condition that consist of one of the vertebras starting to slip forward which typically emerges in the lumbar region (Rodts, 1). To understand this term the word must be fragmented. Once this term is seen at as two expressions, then the term will be easier to comprehend. Spondylo is the meaning of spine, as Listhesis is the meaning of slippage (Rodts, 1). Spine is made up of 33 vertebras that are fixed upon one another. This allows one to accomplish multiple movements such as lifting, twisting, bending and even acts as a shield to the spinal cord. In between the vertebras is a gel-like disc that prevents them from irritation. Disorder such as this is frequently observed in someone who is/was physically active

Depending on the severity of the curvature, different treatment methods are implemented to attack this abnormality of the spine. Although the effectiveness of using plastic back braces to deter the curvature is still to be determined, doctors still generally use this method for smaller curves. In recent years, doctors have been employing a minimally invasive surgical approach for larger curves, one that requires surgeons to only make a few small incisions along the spine, rather than the traditional two-foot incision along the spine. This technique is by far the most radical treatment since the first scoliosis surgery took place in the early 1900s.

Scoliosis is a complex deformity or curvature of the spine and entire torso and has been recognized clinically for centuries (Asher, Marc A.). “For a few of the patients an underlying cause can be determined, including congenital changes, secondary changes related to neuropathic or myopathic conditions, or later in life from degenerative spondylosis. However, the cause of most scoliosis is not known and since about 1922 such patients have been diagnosed as having idiopathic scoliosis (Asher, Marc A.).”