Spinal deformity mainly affects children, and the diagnosis mostly shows in adolescence. Notwithstanding, adults can also be affected by scoliosis. You can prevent the condition from advancing with scoliosis Sandy Springs treatments. Mild cases may only need monitoring, but severe cases need treatment otherwise may lead to disability. Treatment aims at symptom relief, decreasing pain, and improving functionality. You can gain strength after your treatment if you follow recommendations from your doctor.
What is Scoliosis?
The spine should usually appear straight, but this condition is known as scoliosis when it shows curvatures. Thus, the spine leans sideways, either to the left or right. The condition has no known cause in most cases but can be from spinal disc degeneration. It can also be genetic, running down the family line.
What are the Types of Scoliosis?
Scoliosis can take different forms. The first form can be congenital scoliosis, where the curvature happens from misshapen vertebrae. The diagnosis can come later in one’s childhood if signs start showing. Idiopathic scoliosis has its cause unknown, but doctors say it onsets at the age of ten mostly. The final form, neuromuscular scoliosis, arises when a child has a neuromuscular condition because the muscles tend to be weak and unstable.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis?
There are common symptoms, though they may vary depending on an individual. The symptoms include different shoulder heights, uneven waist, prominence on shoulder blades, and one hip higher than another. The spine twists then curves, causing the sticking out of ribs and muscles. There may be no pain. Therefore, you may take time to notice.
What is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Scoliosis?
Your doctor will need a comprehensive medical history. Therefore ask questions relating to the growth of the curvature. You may also have to perform standing, bending forward, and other motions to check for prominence. Neurological exams may check for numbness, reflexes, and muscle weakness. The scoliosis treatment will depend on how severe the curve appears, and mild curves will probably require no treatment. Severe and moderate cases of scoliosis may mostly need bracing or surgery.
Bracing
Moderate scoliosis may need wearing a brace, significantly if the bones are still growing. Bracing does not necessarily reverse the condition but can prevent the curve from advancing. The braces conform to your body and can almost be invisible. The effectiveness of the braces will depend on how many hours you wear them. A child can participate in most sporting and physical activities when they take the brace off.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery for a severe case of scoliosis to straighten and prevent the curve from progressing. The option can be spinal fusion, where your doctor joins bones together in your spine. They can also use expandable rods that adjust as a child keeps growing.
Do not allow spine curvatures to interfere with your life. Visit Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center and get your treatment. The team has the professional expertise to diagnose and treat the condition depending on the cause. Schedule your online appointment or make a call today.
