Meet Our Doctor
Dr. Paresh Bang
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Scoliosis Treatment In Chhindwara
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that most often is diagnosed in adolescents. While scoliosis can occur in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most childhood scoliosis is unknown.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some curves worsen as children grow. Severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of scoliosis may include:
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder bladt appears more prominent than the other
- Uneven waist
- One hip higher than the other
- One side of the rib cage jutting forward
- A prominence on one side of the back when bending forward
Risk factors
Risk factors for developing the most common type of scoliosis include:
- Age. Signs and symptoms typically begin in adolescence.
- Sex. Although both boys and girls develop mild scoliosis at about the same rate, girls have a much higher risk of the curve worsening and requiring treatment.
- Family history. Scoliosis can run in families, but most children with scoliosis don’t have a family history of the disease.
Complications
While most people with scoliosis have a mild form of the disorder, scoliosis may sometimes cause complications, including:
- Breathing problems. In severe scoliosis, the rib cage may press against the lungs, making it more difficult to breathe.
- Back problems. People who had scoliosis as children may be more likely to have chronic back pain as adults, especially if their abnormal curves are large and untreated.
- As scoliosis worsens, it can cause more noticeable changes — including uneven hips and shoulders, prominent ribs, and a shift of the waist and trunk to the side. Individuals with scoliosis often become self-conscious about their appearance.
Advantage in Scoliosis Surgery
Smaller bones in children are difficult to instrument. Use of navigation techniques allow intra-operative guidance about screw placement for better hold and to prevent complications relate to misplace implants.
Neuromonitoring: Intra-operative assessment of spinal cord function is possible by neuromonitoring. Neuromonitoring gives continuous feedback to spine surgeon during surgery about function of spinal cord and spinal nerves. If any step causes changes in nerve function, it can be immediately reversed by the surgeon.
Motion Preserving Correction: Various instrumentation devices are available which corrects the deformity without spinal fusion. This saves movements at instrumented levels and prevent back stiffness. However, these devices cannot treat severe curves. Also, their failure rate is high due to ongoing spine movement which puts continuous stress on these implants.
Types of Scoliosis
- Idiopathic Scoliosis: The most common form, often found in adolescents with no clear cause.
- Congenital Scoliosis: Present at birth due to malformations in the spine.
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Associate with conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
- Degenerative Scoliosis: Typically occurs in adults due to the wear and tear of the spine over time.
Diagnosis
- Physical Examination: The doctor checks the curve of the spine by asking the patient to bend forward.
- X-rays: Used to measure the degree of curvature.
- MRI/CT Scan: In rare cases, to investigate underlying issues like spinal cord abnormalities.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment
- Observation: In mild cases (curves less than 20 degrees), especially in children, doctors often recommend regular check-ups to monitor the curvature.
- Bracing: If the curve is between 25 and 40 degrees and the patient is still growing, a brace might be used to prevent the curve from worsening.
- Types of Braces:
- Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO): The most common type, it wraps around the torso.
- Milwaukee Brace: Covers the torso and extends to the neck, use for high thoracic curves.
- Types of Braces:
- Physical Therapy: Specific exercises can help improve posture, core strength, and spinal alignment. Techniques like the Schroth Method focus on scoliosis-specific exercises.
- Chiropractic Care: In some cases, chiropractic adjustments may help reduce pain and improve flexibility, though it does not correct the curve itself.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is usually recommended if the curve is more than 45-50 degrees or causing severe pain, breathing issues, or other complications. The primary goal of surgery is to reduce the curve and stabilize the spine.
- Spinal Fusion: The most common scoliosis surgery. Two or more vertebrae are fuse together to stop the curve from worsening.
- Procedure: Rods, screws, and bone grafts are use to realign the spine and prevent further curvature.
- Recovery: It requires a hospital stay and physical therapy. Full recovery can be take several months.
- Growing Rods: Used for young children to allow growth while controlling the curvature.
- Procedure: Rods are attached to the spine and lengthened periodically to allow growth while maintaining spinal alignment.
- Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT): A less invasive option for children with moderate scoliosis. A flexible tether is attached to the vertebrae to slow the progression of the curve while allowing movement.
- Spinal Fusion: The most common scoliosis surgery. Two or more vertebrae are fuse together to stop the curve from worsening.
Lifestyle and Post-Treatment Care
- Physical Therapy: Helps regain strength, mobility, and flexibility after surgery or treatment.
- Pain Management: Patients may experience some pain or discomfort, which can be managed with medication, physical therapy, or alternative treatments like acupuncture.
- Long-Term Monitoring: Even after surgery or treatment, periodic check-ups are important to monitor the spine’s health.
“Schedule your appointment expert Scoliosis Surgeon Dr. Paresh Bang. Receive personalize care from experience surgeons using advance techniques for faster recovery and better outcomes. Contact us today!”