Scoliosis Essay, Research Paper

Scoliosis

In the following information, I will discuss scoliosis. I will explain what it is, how it

may occur, all the different types, early detection, and the possible treatments.

Scoliosis is defined as a side-to-side deviation from the normal frontal axis of the

body. This definition is limited since the deformity occurs in varying degrees in all three

planes: back-front; side-to-side; top-to-bottom. Most often the spine has a curvature in

the form of an S or C shape. However, your spine does originally have some natural

curves which gives us our shape and can also act as shock absorbers. There are a

couple of ways that scoliosis may occur, but the most shocking one is that there is no

evident cause. Unfortunately, people’s spines naturally curve on their own and occur

most often in healthy people. It has been stated that in a case where no cause is

found, it is known as Idiopathic Scoliosis (http://www.hjd.edu/html/body_scoliosis.html).

It also may occur with Cerebral Palsy or may be induced by Spina Bifida.

There are different types of scoliosis, the two most common are congenital and

neuromuscular. Congenital scoliosis is caused by an abnormal formation of the

vertebrate. Vertebral absence, partial formation, or lack of separation can cause

asymmetrical growth and can result in a deformity. Neuromuscular scoliosis occurs on

patients with a neuromuscular disease. This spinal deformity is very common and is

most often extremely severe in these patients. Also there is early onset and juvenile

scoliosis which occur in the early years of a child’s life. As stated in this article,

scoliosis usually develops in middle or late childhood and before puberty and therefore

is called “Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis” (http://www.hjd.edu/html/body_scoliosis.html).

Girls are more likely to get scoliosis than boys are and is far more severe. Scoliosis

does not occur from carrying heavy things, athletic involvement, sleeping or standing

postures, or minor lower limb length inequality.

Early detection is very important. If you can detect it early enough, you may be

able to alter the curve and make small adjustments to keep the spine in line with the

necessary small curves. Although scoliosis is not preventable, detection and treatment

early on in childhood is the best way of preventing an existing problem from getting

worse. However, it is very hard to detect scoliosis. Parents should be aware of some

signs to help indicate the need for a screening. Such signs to look for are:

Uneven shoulders or hips

Prominent shoulder or shoulder blades

Leaning to one side

Prominence of one side of the rib cage

If any of the above signs become evident, the child should immediately be taken to the

doctor for further evaluation, which will be helpful with early detection. The focus

should be on the appearance of the spine, as well as the function of the nerves coming

out of the spinal cord (http://www.hjd.edu/html/body_scoliosis.html).

Depending on the severity of the curvature, treatments for scoliosis may vary.

Bracing is one type of treatment that has had some success. It has been documented

that the application of a Milwaukee brace can improve the juvenile curves and reduce

the surgical indication for surgery to 20 percent. The worst results are seen in children

whose curves are greater than 30 degrees at the time of ons (Medical Topics,

www.orthospine.com). Most braces need to be worn as much as possible. If the child

is able to tolerate it then 23 hours a day is ideal. If the child plays a sport they may

remove the brace to play. It does not mean the child cannot participate in a sport

because they wear a back brace. Almost all children effected with scoliosis can lead

very normal lives and can do all the activities they wish. It does not hamper there

ability in most cases. The article states that physical therapy such as muscle

strengthening, is important if a brace is to be utilized. The brace must be removed for

these exercises in order to keep the back, abdomen, and trunk strong to prevent further

injury (http://www.hjd.edu/html/body_scoliosis.html).

The last resort in a treatment would be surgery. Surgery can be very dangerous

considering you’re dealing with the spine and spinal cord. Surgery means placing rods

next to the vertebrate with a combination of hooks, screws, and wires. These make the

spine straighter and allow it to fuse. One of the many problems that are associated

with surgery for scoliosis is that it is extremely expensive and most people cannot

afford to have it done.

There are many alternative treatments for scoliosis. Even though none of them

have been scientifically proven to help in reducing the curvature, there is no real harm

in experimenting with them. Whether it is chiropractic manipulation, electrical

stimulation, magnets, acupuncture, cranio-sacral massages, Reikki therapy or holistic

remedies, as long as the person involved is still receiving the necessary standard

treatments and follow-up, there is nothing wrong with it.

All in all, scoliosis is difficult to treat and manage for the patients. It occurs

mainly in adolescent women and has devastating body image issues in its presence.

Scoliosis should never become the focus of a child’s life nor anyone involved, but

support from friends and family can help any child look past it.

Congenital Scoliosis Spinal deformity in Spinal deformity in

cerebral palsy (pre-op) cerebral palsy (post-op)