Right Information About Scoliosis Can Help The Patients

Posted by abby smiths on October 5th, 2016

Scoliosis is an ailment in which a person suffers in which a patient suffers from a ‘C’ or ‘S’ shaped curve. It has been found that in some patients the curve is stable but in others it gets more severe with time. Person suffering from mild scoliosis do not have any particular health problem but severe scoliosis can cause breathing problems in the patient.

There are several causes due to which one can have scoliosis of different types.

Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused due to abnormal muscles and nerves. People, suffering cerebral palsy or spina bifida, are more prone to this kind of scoliosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis is the result of previous back bone surgery, bone collapse or osteoporosis.

Congenital scoliosis is caused by bone abnormality normally during the birth.

Diagnosis Of Scoliosis

Initial examinations are usually conducted by general physician. Patients suspected with scoliosis are referred to orthopaedic specialist for more tests and decide on the kind of treatment required.

Surgery for scoliosis is only recommended only when the curve becomes greater than 40-45 degree and is expected to increase more in the future. Nowadays, modern technology is used to conduct the surgery for improved results. Hooks and screws are used to anchor long rods with the spine. Later the rods are used to reduce and hold the spine and bone is added which fuses together with the existing one.

There are two approaches to the surgery.

Posterior Surgical Approach: This is done by making a long incision at the back of the spine which is normally the entire length of the thoracic spine.

Anterior Surgical Approach: This surgery is done completely with an anterior approach. It requires an incision and also removal of one rib. This surgery can only be done for thoracolumbar curves.

Long Terms Effects Of Scoliosis Surgery

All treatments come with their own set of risks for every patient. There are several complications which may happen after the surgery like nerve damage, blood loss, infection, bowel and bladder problems are some of the most common risks.

Other rare complications include failure of the bones in healing properly, loss of proper spinal balance, vertebral degeneration in other fused sections or failure too. You can also feel pain years after scoliosis surgery.

It is required to heed to all the warning and follow precautions as prescribed by the surgeon and in case of any problem consult your doctor immediately to get the required treatment and medication.