Diagnosis and Treatment of Scoliosis Disease

Diagnosis and Treatment of Scoliosis Disease

Scoliosis is a disease of the spine and is known as a curvature of the spine. In scoliosis, the curvature of the spine is mostly seen behind the chest or in the lumbar region. Scoliosis can be congenital, but it can also occur later in life. Infections and tumors are effective in later scoliosis diseases, but in some cases, scoliosis of unknown cause is also seen. 

When the human spine is healthy, it starts at the bottom of the head and continues from the middle of the trunk to the lumbar region. The vertebrae are the parts that bring the spine together. The vertebrae come together in the neck, back and lumbar region to form the spine, which serves as the main pillar for our body to stand upright. The ability of the body to stand upright, body movements and activities that ensure mobility are directly related to the health of the spine.  

When scoliosis develops, the spine, which descends straight down, curves to the right and left. It is easier to treat scoliosis with early diagnosis applications, but in advanced stages, scoliosis can bend at large angles and treatment becomes more difficult. 

What are the Causes and Types of Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is one of the diseases that occur at congenital or pediatric ages and has a great impact on the quality of life of children in child development. Scoliosis diseases with undetermined causes are encountered, but most scoliosis occurs congenitally due to factors in the womb. Genetic factors have a great influence. 

The first type of scoliosis is congenital scoliosis, known as congenital scoliosis. Ribs affecting each other are known to cause congenital scoliosis. They can also occur due to developmental problems in the spine.  

There is also a type of scoliosis caused by polio, that is, polio. It can be summarized as a problem with the muscle tissue surrounding the spine. Muscle groups that lose their function as a result of problems such as cerebral palsy or muscle wasting cannot grip the spine strongly and scoliosis develops. Finally, there are also idiopathic scoliosis diseases of unknown cause. The healthy spine may start to curve due to an unrecognized condition. 

What are the Symptoms of Scoliosis?
Since scoliosis disease occurs congenitally or in childhood, it is very important to monitor deformities and movement disorders for early diagnosis. If there is any bending on the spine, scoliosis should be suspected and investigated because these bends are the clearest symptoms. Asymmetrical appearance between the shoulders, asymmetrical appearance between the shoulders and hips, painful complaints in the back from the neck to the waist, shortness of breath, fatigue and an increase in the number and severity of curvature are among the most common symptoms. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Scoliosis
The diagnosis of scoliosis is very important for the successful treatment of the disease. Because with early diagnosis, it is possible to control and treat the disease before the quality of life decreases. It may even be possible to treat scoliosis without the need for surgical intervention with early diagnosis. 

Scoliosis diagnostic procedures should already be performed in newborn babies. For the scoliosis problem that emerges in the following period, it is very important that the parents' control is very important. In case of any doubt, a doctor should be consulted. At this point, imaging methods will follow the physical examination process. Imaging methods such as X-ray, magnetic resonance, computed tomography are the most commonly used diagnostic applications. After the disease is detected, the severity of scoliosis can be investigated with a scoliometer. 

In the treatment of scoliosis, different treatment techniques such as physical therapy and rehabilitation studies, corset treatment, bracing are applied. With early diagnosis, these treatments can be successful and the current scoliosis condition can be improved. However, if the severity of scoliosis is too advanced to be controlled with these treatments, surgical interventions become the only option. In scoliosis surgery, incisions are made on the spine and the curved spine is restored to its proper posture. For this purpose, the spine is repositioned with screws and rods and the surgical process ends. After scoliosis surgery, the process can continue with physical therapy exercises for a healthy body.