Scoliosis - what is it? Prophylaxis and treatment of scoliosis

Today, let's talk about such a common pathology of the musculoskeletal system, like scoliosis. What it is? What are the causes of the development of the disease? What treatment methods are used? These and other issues will be considered in the article.

General information

The disease often develops in children and adolescents, but there are cases when scoliosis occurs in adults. Such a disease is characterized by an arcuate curvature of the spine in the lateral plane, some of the vertebrae can turn, which makes the shoulders or hips uneven. In this disease, nerve fibers are clamped, their communication is impaired, internal organs are squashed or displaced, respiratory function worsens.

The causes of scoliosis

What is the cause of the disease, to date has not been accurately established. Scoliosis is congenital and acquired.

Congenital scoliosis - what is it? What factors provoke its occurrence? As a result of intrauterine malformations of the fetus, congenital hypoplasia of the vertebrae appears, additional elements are formed. The pathology of development, in turn, arises from the maternal nutrition, bad habits, lack of exercise. In addition, the birth of a child can be adversely affected by the wrong shape of the mother's pelvis.

Acquired scoliosis develops as a result of:

• Fractures and other injuries of the spine;

• Subluxations of cervical vertebrae;

• Incorrect body position due to physiological abnormalities (for example, as a result of different lengths of legs, flat feet, strabismus or myopia);

• An incorrect position of the body as a result of a constant stay in one position (for example, when working at a computer);

• Irrational nutrition;

• Large physical exertion or too rare sports;

• Diseases associated with abnormal development of muscles (radiculitis, unilateral paralysis, rickets, rheumatism), as well as in the presence of such ailments as pleurisy, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and others.

Symptoms of the disease

Scoliosis is characterized by a number of signs. Outwardly, such an ailment is manifested by a lateral deviation of the spine, a change in the position of the torso in any posture (lying, standing). The shape of the chest, pelvis, internal organs also changes.

The severity of symptoms depends on the stage and type of the disease.

Stages of pathology

Scoliosis of the 1st degree is characterized by such features as oblique pelvis, stoop, uneven shoulder height, waist asymmetry. The angle of curvature is 10 °.

Scoliosis of the 2nd degree is asymmetrical in the contours of the neck and asymmetry of the waist is more pronounced. The curvature becomes noticeable regardless of the position of the body. The angle of curvature in this case is 10-20 °.

3 degree of scoliosis is manifested in the same way as 2, except for this, there is a sinking of the rib, pronounced torsion, bulging of the rib arches, weakening of the abdominal muscles. The angle of curvature is 20-30 °.

At 4 degrees of the disease, the spine deforms, the muscles in the curvature area are greatly stretched, the rib hump develops. The angle of curvature may exceed 30 °.

Types of disease

The signs vary depending on the type of pathology:

• Cervico-thoracic scoliosis is characterized by the curvature of the fourth and fifth vertebrae and the asymmetry of the shoulder-blades.

• Thoracic scoliosis is manifested by the curvature of the seventh-ninth vertebrae. There is a violation of respiratory functions and deformation of the chest.

• With lumbosacral scoliosis, curvatures are observed at the level of the tenth-twelfth vertebra. In this case, the respiratory and circulatory functions are violated.

• Scoliosis of the lumbar region is manifested by the curvature of the first, second lumbar vertebrae. Externally, the manifestations are not very pronounced, but for this type of disease is characterized by an early development of pain.

• With combined, or S-shaped, scoliosis, curvatures are observed at the level of the first, second lumbar, and also the eighth, ninth thoracic vertebrae. This type of disease has a tendency to progress, manifests itself as a pain syndrome, a violation of the functions of blood supply and respiration.

Left sided and right-sided scoliosis

Depending on where the peak of the curvature is directed, right-sided and left-sided scoliosis is distinguished. With each of them, the asymmetry of the muscles of the back develops, the bends of the spine are enlarged, and the ribs are bent. In addition, various ailments of internal organs can develop. Left-sided scoliosis is less common right-sided and is most often acquired pathology. Suffer this type of disease, usually women. Such an ailment is characterized by a violation of the function of the internal organs on the right side: the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, pelvic organs and abdominal cavity.

Right-sided scoliosis - what is it? This curvature of the spine is a more severe pathology. Clinical manifestations in this case are rapidly increasing, and the diagnosis of special difficulties is not present, especially in the case of grade 3-4 disease. In this case, the asymmetry of the trunk is pronounced, general asthenia and fast fatigue are observed. Ultimately, the disease can end with a disability patient.

Treatment of the disease

The methods of treating scoliosis depend on the age of the patient, the type of pathology and the degree of deformation of the spine.

Scoliosis of 1 degree is easiest to cure. For this purpose, conservative treatment is used, including various physiotherapy procedures, medical therapy, physical exercises, massage and other orthopedic activities prescribed by an orthopedic doctor. Self-treatment of scoliosis can only aggravate the situation.

Treatment of the 2 degree of scoliosis depends on the clinical picture of the disease, it is also necessary to take into account how long the pathological disorders in the spine have developed. The doctor should conduct a full examination and only after that appoint complexes of exercise therapy, effective physiotherapy and so on.

Disease of the third degree is much more difficult to treat. Therapy is effective only in children under 11 years old. In adulthood, one can only stabilize the curvature of the spine and strengthen the muscular corset of the back. It is completely impossible to get rid of such a disease as scoliosis. The operation is required if the curvature of the arc is significantly expressed. Before the surgical intervention, it is necessary to conduct a number of therapeutic procedures in order to stabilize the pathological processes in the spine.

Preventive actions

We talked about a disease such as scoliosis: what it is, how it manifests itself, what are the causes and methods of treatment. Now let's discuss the principles of the prevention of this ailment.

Correct posture is very important for health. In addition, people with a flat back look slimmer, younger and more attractive. To prevent the development of scoliosis, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

• It is necessary to stand always straight, to lean on both feet. The shoulders should be straightened, the belly should be drawn. When walking, the neck should be kept evenly, and the head - slightly elevated.

• Effective exercise for a beautiful posture - walking with a book on his head. At first it will be unusual and difficult, because to keep the book, you need to align your back. Such an exercise should be done daily for 5-10 minutes, and the results will be noticeable very soon.

• Do not watch TV while lying on your side.

• If possible, limit the wearing of shoes with high heels.

• The workplace should be arranged so that the hips are at the same level with the knees and parallel to the floor, the feet should touch the floor.

• Do not sit for a long time in one position. The pose needs to be changed more often. Be sure to take a break in order to stretch and walk.

• Do yoga.

• It is recommended to give time to compensatory exercises: to hang on the horizontal bar and pull your knees to your chest. Make the maximum number of times.

• It is very effective exercise "cat": you should stand on all fours, maximally bend your back down, and then bend up.

• Swimming is another effective way to prevent scoliosis. In addition, this kind of exercise will provide a slender, smart figure and a good mood.

Conclusion

Watch your health, lead a healthy lifestyle - and then any diseases, including scoliosis, you will not be affected. If the trouble still happened - at the first signs, consult a doctor.