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.
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 term “scoliosis” originates from the Greek word meaning crooked, and it describes lateral curvature and rotation of the spine. This deformity is mostly seen in normal, rapidly growing, preadolescent and adolescent children, although it can span all age groups (Dunn, 1978). Onset of this condition appears to be at 10 years of age, however about 80% of all types of scoliosis are idiopathic. Two to five percent of school children have a Cobb angle of ≥10º, and in two tents of a percent the angle exceeds 20°. Other common types include congenital/ osteogenic scoliosis secondary to vertebral anomalies, neuropathic scoliosis, and neuromuscular scoliosis. The treatment and prognosis for this condition depends on distinction between
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.).”
The spine has a very complex structure. It is made of a series of bones, called vertebrae, separated by discs called invertebral discs. It is divided into five sections, and each vertebrae is named accordingly: cervical (C1-C7), thoracic (T1-T12), lumbar (L1-L5), sacral (S1-S5), and the coccyx. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine regions will create a natural curved 'S' shape. When this shape is disturbed, the spine's alignment is said to be abnormal. _Lordosis_ is an abnormal curve of the lumbar spine, _kyphosis_ is an abnormal curve of the thoracic spine, and _scoliosis_ is an abnormal side-to-side curve of the spine.
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.
Many people all around the world may come across symptoms of having scoliosis. Mostly girls from ages 10 to 16 get a curve of about 10 degrees. Scoliosis is the curvature of the spine and mostly occurs in adolescent years. Scoliosis may be identified during a physical examination by bending forward to see if your back is completely straight and if your shoulder blades are balanced. During my research process i found out that a lot of people at my school have scoliosis.
Only vertebral segments at rest and end range were analyzed for the purpose of this study. The intervertebral angle was measured using the National Institute of Health Image software. Intervertebral angles are defined as the distance between two end plates. The difference between end range and resting intervertebral angles was defined as segmental lumbar motion. An increase in spinal extension denoted a positive value, whereas a negative value was denoted by a decrease in spinal extension.
AIS is treated by Surgical & Non Surgical ways. Those who have curves beyond 40 degrees to 50 degrees are often considered for scoliosis surgery. The goal is to make sure the curve does not get worse, but surgery does not perfectly straighten the spine. Currently, Bracing is the only non-surgical treatment for AIS, advocated by Medical Spine Community. All other non-surgical treatments such as Chiropractic Adjustment or Osteopathic Manipulation or Exercise or Acupuncture have not been proven to be effective in controlling the progression or curing it. Bracing is the usual treatment choice for adolescents who have a spinal curve between 25 degrees to 40 degrees, particularly if their bones are still maturing and if they have at least 2 years
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
Scoliosis is described as an abnormal curvature of the spine in a sideways direction. The condition can be categorized as either a “C” curve or an “S” curve. Now, I have an “S” curve which means my spine has two curves, one to the left and one to the right, each different from the other. I first became diagnosed with this condition when I was
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.
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spinal axis has a three-dimensional deviation. The column normally has a gentle outward curve known as kyphosis while the lower back, lumbar, has the opposite curve directed inward known as lordosis. The abnormal curvature of the spine goes either to the left or the right creating the letter C or S.Dextroscoliosis- is the spinal curve to the right ("dextro" = right). It usually occurs in the thoracic spine which is the most common type curve. It can occur on its own (forming a "C" shape) or with another curve bending the opposite way in the lower spine (forming an "S"). Besides the curve in the thoracic area the lumber area, lower back is also a common region for scoliosis. The curvature
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