What is Scoliosis?
What is Scoliosis?
The spinal column should be straight when either viewed from the front or back. With scoliosis, there is a side shift of the spine to the right or left. Approximately 10% of the population has small curves (less than ten degrees), which are not any consequence to function or health. This condition is called Spinal Asymmetry.
In the diagnostic x-ray, the curve of the spine measures in degrees, as an angle known as Cobb angle. Scoliosis is a curve greater than ten degrees. It occurs within the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine and may involve one or both of those regions. The most common curve pattern may be a right thoracic curve. They occur within the vertebral column when viewed from the side (laterally). Round back (kyphosis) exists within the thoracic spine & Swayback (lordosis) occurs within the cervical and lumbar regions.
What causes scoliosis?
Scoliosis can arise from several underlying conditions, but is generally idiopathic, means “cause unknown.”
Research shows that idiopathic scoliosis is a genetic condition. It continues to isolate the combination of individual genes that cause scoliosis. There is a test that helps determine the danger of progression of scoliosis (whether or not the curve will get bigger). The test allows for early diagnosis and the best treatment option for each patient.
The uneven growth between the front portion of the vertebrae and a back portion of the vertebrae could also cause scoliosis.
How common is it?
Idiopathic scoliosis may be present in 2-3% of adolescents. One in five hundred will require active treatment & only one in five thousand may require surgery. Girls and boys are equally suffering from small degrees of scoliosis, but girls are eight times more likely to develop scoliosis than boys.
Treatment options
Scoliosis treatments are non-operative or operative, counting on how large the curve is.
Non-operative treatment entails; Observation when a scoliosis specialist periodically checks for signs of curve progression & the patient may or may not be required to wear a brace.
If the curve is significant and continues to progress even after growth maturity, Operative treatment or surgery is the treatment option.
What surgery is on recommendation?
Surgery partially depends on the growth and severity of the curve(s), the curve pattern, and thus the surgeon’s preference.
In general:
When a curve reaches 45 to 50 degrees, surgery is the treatment option even though growth is still there.
At the end of growth, curves less than 40 degrees do not progress & some curves between 40 – 50 degrees may or may not progress. Lumbar curves less than 40 degrees might grow.
At skeletal maturity, curves measuring greater than 50 degrees continue to progress throughout adulthood, approximately 1 to 2 degrees per year. As a result, surgery will likely be the treatment option.
What is scoliosis surgery?
This partially depends on the growth stage, the situation, severity of the curve(s), the curve pattern, and therefore the surgeon’s preference. In general:
During surgery, the curve is corrected as safely as possible by implants (generally rods, screws, wires, and hooks) attached to the vertebrae at the curved spine. After the correction happens, a bone graft is placed over the implants. With time, this bone graft fuses (or grows together) with the prevailing bone and forms a solid column of bone therein area. The implants act as an indoor brace to carry the spine within the corrected position while the bones are fusing. It generally takes six to twelve months. The fusion of the bones takes away the expansion potential therein a part of the spine, which is what, has caused scoliosis to worsen.
Individual vertebrae grow approximately 1mm per year. The potential height lost is usually balanced by the quantity of height gained with the correction of the curve(s). The fusion also permanently stops the motion of the spine within the segments that are fused. The loss of flexibility is modest and limits the function of the trunk a little.
Consult your Spine Surgeon to understand scoliosis surgery neurosurgery bangalore. Your doctor will decide for your surgery supported by your clinical presentation and investigations
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