- August 18, 2024
- Web Editorial Board
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- Diseases, Health Guide
Spinal Curvature - Scoliosis
The name of the bone and spine curvature that many of us notice when we look at people around us but don’t know what it is: “scoliosis”… If precautions are not taken for this very important disorder, surgical intervention may be required.
Our Brain, Nerve and Spinal Cord Specialist emphasizes that families should especially observe their children well by saying, “In some cases, there may be no complaints, but this may cause delays in diagnosis and treatment.”
Scoliosis, known as bone curvature and spine curvature; can be encountered at any stage of life. Congenital scoliosis, which occurs from birth, is seen together with other body problems. The most important of these are tethered cord syndrome, meningocele, meningomyelocele, chiari (cerebellum prolapse), syringomyelia (fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord). The type seen after all these diseases are excluded is idiopathic scoliosis. In congenital scoliosis, children may experience skin findings, color change in the waist, increased hair growth and skeletal muscle system disorders from birth. In idiopathic scoliosis, there may be no findings or complaints, so diagnosis may be delayed.
Congenital Scoliosis
Congenital scoliosis is a disease that occurs in the early stages of life and is detected at every stage of life. Since the spine has not completed its development in the first 3 years, it is unlikely to be seen. In cases of congenital scoliosis, ultrasound performed in the womb is important in terms of showing accompanying diseases. In these cases, a comprehensive family history should be taken and the medical history of other family members should be questioned. In children, especially the urinary system, heart and skeletal system examinations should be performed completely. In cases of congenital scoliosis;
- Color change in the waist area
- Hair growth on the waist,
- Asymmetry in the feet and legs,
- Urinary and kidney infections,
is important in terms of showing another underlying disease in patients with congenital scoliosis.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Idiopathic scoliosis accounts for 80% of scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed after the causes of congenital scoliosis are excluded. Idiopathic scoliosis can occur at any age during adolescence. Idiopathic scoliosis is more common in girls. Idiopathic scoliosis patients are noticed by their families and their surroundings by chance. The family sees asymmetry and curvature in the child’s spine from waist and shoulder asymmetry and when choosing new clothes. Children with idiopathic scoliosis do not have severe pain, walking disorders, or lung problems. If these problems are present, other diseases related to the underlying spine should be excluded. A complete physical examination of the patients should be performed. The examination should preferably be performed while the patients are naked. It is necessary to check whether both shoulder alignments are the same, whether there is a curvature in the back when viewed from behind, and whether there is a height on one side of the back. The increase and prominence of pain in a patient with scoliosis suggests that the curvature is increasing. In cases of idiopathic scoliosis, diagnosis is made with imaging methods after excluding congenital scoliosis. Scoliosis radiography is very important in imaging methods. The angle of the scoliosis and the direction of the curvature are clearly revealed.
It is important to follow up children diagnosed with scoliosis at 6-month intervals to see if the scoliosis is progressing. In Scoliosis;
- Physical exercise up to 0-25 degrees, if any, should be done to relieve symptoms with medications for mild pain.
- In scoliosis between 25-40 degrees, if the child has no complaints and there is no increase in scoliosis of more than 10 degrees in 6-month follow-ups, it is sufficient to monitor with external corset treatment and physical therapy methods.
- In scoliosis greater than 40 degrees, surgical correction techniques come into play.
In scoliosis with a low degree, exercises given by physical therapy, swimming programs, and electrostimulations for muscles have been shown to be beneficial. Scoliosis should not be considered as a bone curvature alone. There are also traumas caused by this condition in children and families. Especially in children, deformity in the back causes some negativities in the social environment and at school. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose scoliosis early and to initiate treatment methods for it.