Abnormal Curvatures Of the Spine
- Scoliosis
- Symptoms
- Shoulders are different heights—one shoulder blade is more prominent than the other.
- Appearance of a raised, prominent hip.
- Rib cages are at different heights.
- Uneven waist.
- Changes in look or texture of skin overlying the spine (dimples, hairy patches, color changes).
- Causes
- When there are abnormal side to side (lateral) curves in the spinal Colum we refer to this as scoliosis.
- Treatment
- Observation: This is for small curves with a curve of 25 – 40 degrees that is completed and not still growing (Curves which are at low risk of progression). Appropriate for boys older than 17 and girls older than 15. The curves get monitored and observed for a period of time generally decided by the doctor.
- Orthopaedic bracing : For people with a spinal curve of 25- 40 degrees and are still growing a brace is recommended. A brace is made of plastic and made specifically for your body with strategically placed padding and straps that place resistance as needed on your particular spinal curve(s). This is to stop the progression of your curve not to decrease the curve you already have.
- Surgical Correction: This is for curves more than 45 degrees. Surgical correction involves fusingvertebraetogether to correct the curvature and may require inserting rods next to the spine to reinforce the surgery
- Exercises: Some exercises are leg are arm extension, back Extension, triceps raise, bent-over raise, and upright row.
- Result of treatment
- Observation: This requires the patient to come in regularly (once every year or what the doctor deems is necessary) to see if there curve has progressed. Generally if the curve has progressed then they will receive treatment however generally patients who go under observation have curves that have stopped growing and curves that stop being a risk.
- Orthopaedic bracing: Generally after the brace has been placed the doctors ask for a regular visit to see if the curve has stopped progressing and if it has they keep the brace on them but if it has not the doctor may decide to do some other treatment.
- Surgical correction: After surgery the spine is corrected, the spine does not move or progress. The rods are used as a temporary splint to hold the spine in place while the bones fuse together. Rods are not removed but sometimes the rods can irritate soft tissue and if they do they are removed.
- Exercises: These exercises help strengthens the muscles on your shoulders, back, and upper back to make them strong and flexible.
- Lordosis
- Symptoms
- People with lordoisis looks like they are arching their lower back and sticking t here buttocks out.
- Causes
- Poor Posture
- Achondroplasia: A genetic disorder that results in abnormal cartilage growth and dwarfism
- Spondylolisthesis: Displaced vertebrae of back
- Treatment
- Orthopaedic bracing
- Surgery
- Taking Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
- Exercises: Some excercses are Hip flexor stretch, Lower back stretch, abdominal crunch (harder), Twisting crunch, and Bridge
- Result of treatment
- Orthopaedic bracing: See Scoliosis for what Orthopaedic bracing is.
- Surgery: spine is straightened by using a metal rod, hooks, or screws in the back bones. Surgeons also use a bone graft to promote new growth and stability.
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: This decreases discomfort and swelling.
- Exercises are used to strengthen muscles and increase range of motion. You may also be taught how to maintain a correct posture.