Treatment Options for children with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Parents of children diagnosed with AIS (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis) face difficult decisions when determining a course of treatment. The information received from the child’s doctor or orthopedist may be the only reference parents have to base decisions on. This may leave many unanswered questions regarding the child’s treatment, effects of treatment and long term quality of life after treatment. Like most parents, upon hearing my daughter’s diagnosis, a million questions came to mind including what does this mean for her health, can she still play sports, will she have pain, and mostly, will she live a normal life?
Background:
Scoliosis is defined as an
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While back pain is not a normal sign of scoliosis, it was the only thing my daughter complained about and it can indicate a secondary condition such as spondylolisthesis, syringomyelia, tethered cord, herniated disc or spinal tumor. (Asher & Burton, 2006)
Diagnosis for scoliosis via a standard exam can be easily detected using the Adam’s Forward Bend Test. During this test, the patient leans forward with his/her feet together and bends 90 degrees at the waist revealing any asymmetry on the truck or any abnormal spinal curvatures. If abnormalities are detected an x-ray, spinal radiograph, CT scan or MRI will be used for more accurate diagnosis. Curves are then measured by the Cobb Method with the higher severity depicted by a greater curve. (AANS, May 2016) Statement of Problem: Interventions and treatments for AIS have evolved over the years, however long term study documenting outcomes are rare. To properly study a case from diagnosis to completion would encompass a minimum of thirty years. Effects of treatment are unknown due to lack of comprehensive studies. This leaves parents of AIS patients at the mercy of doctors and orthopedists who themselves have not
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.
Most back pains often occur as a result of stress to the back over time mainly as a result of poor sitting postures. Though this is not the cause for all back pains, there are a few things one should consider when looking for solutions to cure or ease the back pain.
Kiara is a 20 year old woman who currently lives with her Grandparents in South Hadley Massachusetts. She has a primary disability of Dandy-Walker malformation and secondary to the Dandy-Walker Malformation she experiences problems related to hydrocephalus. To address the associated problems with hydrocephalus, Karia has undergone numerous operation to place a shunt which was implanted within the skull area to alleviate the build up of pressure. As a consequence of the shunt Karia experiences, reading difficulties, processing delays and her fine motor dexterity.
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
Developmental spondylolisthesis occurs when someone has inherited the disease, along with Acquired spondylolisthesis is when a patient has placed tremendous strain on their body otherwise has attained a single force if not multiple forces to the spinal range (Rodts, 1). Six different types of levels that can be used for diagnosis determinations. Type I is positioned mainly in the L5-S1 area therefore partakes a dysplastic or congenital in the articular process (Highsmith, 1). Type II includes three different forms of correlated to its malfunction; Complete fracture of the Pars is due to overreach or use, Micro-fractures of the pars that cultivate new pars which at that time thrust old pars into an onward position, also Complete fracture can be triggered by trauma to the area (Highsmith, 1). Type III comes along with the aging process. Frequently seen in women over 50 and positioned in the L4-5 (Highsmith, 1). Type IV suffer through fractures of the vertebra along the pars at that point the facet joints separated (Highsmith, 1). Type V are due to tumors that enhance instability furthermore induces the slipping effect (Highsmith, 1). Type VI is a consequence of deteriorated pars after a laminectomy surgery (Highsmith, 1). Degeneration of the spine causes the disc to alter to a brittle state (Highsmith, 1). Having a
Scoliosis is one of the big causes for costochondritis. There are also some other things that bring along costochondritis. Birth defects, infections, tumors, family history, or genetics can also cause costochondritis. With scoliosis there can be two different kinds of scoliosis spine you can have, structural spine or nonstructural spine. A structural spine is the curve of the spine is rigid and can’t be reversed- caused- cerebral palsy (impair control of movement of muscle weakening and become less flexible over time.) A nonstructural spine is it works normally, but looks curved. This happens because one leg could be longer than the other, muscle spasms, and inflammation, usually when these things are treated or fixed scoliosis goes away. (Web
Scoliosis is when the spine is curved. It is very common, but a lot of people are not aware of it. That’s why it’s important to know about the different types, for example, congenital, neuromuscular, degenerative and Idiopathic. It’s also important to know about the symptoms, treatments and statistics. Scoliosis is not a disease, it’s an abnormality that affects more girls than boys.
Idiopathic Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that involves an irregular curvature of the spine. This condition can appear and progress during any growing period in healthy children or young adults, affecting more girls then boys. During these growing periods the spine of the child can be considered developing in the shape of an “S” or a “C” (Rigo, Villagrasa, & Gallo, 2010, para. 1). There are three different types of idiopathic scoliosis that can affect a specific age group. The first is infantile which affects children ages 1-3, the second is juvenile which affects ages 3-10, and lastly there is adolescent type which affects children after the age of 10 to after the onset of puberty (Edgar, 2002, p. 270). These groups are categorized by when
According to (Weinstein, Dolan, Cheng, Danielsson, & Morcuende, 2008), Scoliosis is defined as an excessive (greater than 10 degrees), ‘C’ or ‘S’ curvature depending on the shape the spinal vertebrae result in. This condition can present in varying degrees of severity and pain, however there is a tendency to present within the adolescent age range of approximately 10 years – 16 years and is most prominently seen more in girls than in boys. The methods used for spinal correction range from braces to open and closed surgery, involving instrumentation and bone grafting under general anesthesia.
Scoliosis is one of the spinal deformity of the spine which the bodies of the vertebrae deviate laterally in a horizontal direction (McKinnis,2014). Finding the severity of the lateral curvature of the spine will assist a health professional to determine an appropriate plan of care. One of the significant measurement used to assess the degree of scoliosis is Cobb method or angle via radiologic imaging (McKinnis,2014). Cobb method helps to
For those whose scoliosis causes symptoms or a decrease in the ability to function, there are several non-surgical options to relieve pain and regain function, such as physical therapy and acupuncture. Doctors can also prescribe medications for patients with this condition, or can give spinal injections to relieve pain caused by the curvature in the thoracic spine. Spinal surgery is required for those patients whose pain persists
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine to the left or right side and the curve can also be in the lower part of the spine the thoracic and the upper part of the spine the lumbar. It can sometimes look like an s shape and can be caused by lifestyle factors like carry heavy objects and also can be caused by favoring one side in sports or by genetic factors.
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.).”