Multiple scoliosis, being a fairly common disease of the musculoskeletal system, represents a change in the position of the spinal column, namely its slope in excess of ten degrees from its normal location. If the angle of inclination does not exceed ten degrees, then we can talk about an acceptable physiological deviation. There are three normal physiological curvatures of the spine : lordosis in the lumbar and cervical regions, kyphosis in the sacral and thoracic regions. All other bends or displacements of the spine are multiple scoliosis.
This disease develops as a result of this constant deviation, in connection with which the load is redistributed to the ligaments and muscles, which subsequently change. So, muscles are the first to change: on the one hand they are tense, on the other side of the spine they are stretched. Over time, pressure on the muscles only increases, this leads to compression and displacement of the vertebrae, causing their deformation - bending in the opposite direction. This is how multiple scoliosis develops.
Most often, it occurs during the period of intensive growth of the skeletal system and motor apparatus (school age), and to a greater extent in girls, but in a more mature age, this disease appears as a result of age-related changes in the structure of the spine.
Spinal curvature of less than thirty degrees usually stops in development by the time the bone system is fully formed. In the case of a stronger curvature, this process will continue to develop in more adulthood.
It should be noted that scoliosis is of two types:
1. Congenital. It is caused by an abnormal development of the vertebrae and a change in their number in a particular section of the spine.
2. Acquired. It develops as a result of injuries, operations or muscle diseases.
Multiple scoliosis symptoms have the following: asymmetry of the shoulder blades, waist and shoulders, which is detected by visual inspection, stoop, visible curvature of the spine in an upright position. In the process of its development, changes in various structures of the spine can be observed. So, torsion quite often appears, a violation of the structure of the discs and ligaments, the position of the ribs changes, and the chest is deformed. All this can lead to impaired functions of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, spinal cord and various parts of the motor apparatus, as well as the appearance of osteochondrosis.
It must be pointed out that severely developed scoliosis expresses symptoms in the appearance of pain in the back and in difficulty breathing. However, usually this disease is not accompanied by any unpleasant sensations.
In most cases, scoliosis is diagnosed by visual examination, since quite often patients are admitted at a time when changes in the spine are visible to the naked eye. Another diagnostic method is X-ray and MRI, they are usually used to find out the angle of inclination and the degree of deformation of the vertebrae.
Multiple scoliosis is treated in two ways. Thus, a conservative approach suggests the use of therapeutic exercises, swimming, massages, manual and physiotherapy. When the spine is bent more than forty degrees, surgical intervention is used. However, 90% of patients manage to stop the development of the disease after using a conservative treatment method.
Thus, scoliosis, developing during the period of formation and growth of bones, usually proceeds in a mild form and does not require surgical methods of treatment. Compliance with the doctor’s recommendations helps to quickly cure and restore the functions of the musculoskeletal system.