The pathological condition of the spine, characterized by stoop, is called Sherman-Mau disease in medicine. Most often, this disease is encountered by young people after various injuries, due to too rapid growth or developmental defects. Without appropriate treatment, the disease progresses rapidly, covering the spinal muscles in the chest area. Gradually, the patient has a hump and a specific torso forward.
What is this ailment?
Sherman-Mau disease is a curvature of the spine. This defect is youthful and is accompanied by deformation of the ridge in its upper part. The disease appears, as a rule, at the stage of active development of the body, that is, at the age of 10-17 years. A pathology is diagnosed equally often in both boys and girls. According to statistics, Sherman-Mau disease is detected no more than in 1% of adolescents.
This name was given to the pathology in honor of the Danish doctor, who first described it back in 1921. With this defect, the patient's equilibrium system is completely lost. Unpleasant sensations are not the only problem of the patient, because gradually his full mobility is lost.
Symptoms of Sherman Mau Disease
The main sign of the development of vice is, of course, a pathological change in posture. But you can detect other symptoms:
- pain in the area of the shoulder blades, which at first appears only after serious physical exertion;
- heaviness, discomfort and severe fatigue in the back, a gradual decrease in the mobility of the chest;
- loss of flexibility of the spine, in which the patient becomes clumsy, and his back at the same time ceases to be elastic;
- often the defect is accompanied by scoliosis and intercostal neuralgia, pain occurs from the side of deformation;
- curvature of the spine prevents the full functioning of the lungs, as a result of which the patient has breathing problems.
You can visually identify a defect by reading a photo of Sherman-Mau disease.
Causes of the disease
It is not for nothing that doctors often call this pathology juvenile kyphosis, because it is precisely in adolescence that it usually forms. The causes of Sherman-Mau disease are quite a lot, but the most common is a genetic predisposition. According to doctors, in case of diagnosing a defect in one of the parents, the risk of developing it in a child is much higher. In addition, the causes of the disease can be:
- injuries received during development and puberty;
- weakness or abnormal growth of the muscles supporting the ridge;
- too fast bone development;
- abnormal formation of locking plates;
- deficiency in the body of essential minerals;
- osteoporosis;
- compression fractures;
- hormonal disruptions.
Sherman Mau disease and the army
Under the law, there are diseases in the presence of which young people are not called up for service. Sherman-Mau disease also got on this list. True, such a diagnosis alone is not a reason for exemption from the army. During the medical examination, doctors carefully examine the symptoms and consequences of the defect, paying special attention to the angle of posture curvature. In other words, the decision in each case is taken individually. The reason for the complete release from military service is considered to be an abnormal deformation of at least three vertebrae.
Classification
There are several varieties of Sherman-Mau disease:
- Latent period. It develops, as a rule, in children aged 8-13 years. Usually, small patients do not have any complaints, but with prolonged load on the back, pain may appear in the affected area. At this stage, the abnormal process is completely reversible and treatable with ease.
- Early period. Usually formed at the age of 15-20 years. Patients have complaints of pain in the lumbar region, intervertebral hernias occur. The pathological process can be reversed by a combination of surgical and conservative therapy.
- Late period. This type of disease is formed after 20 years and is characterized by numerous complications. At a late stage, patients are recommended surgical treatment, but even after it a full recovery does not occur.
Diagnostics
It is possible to detect a defect even in the early stages of development, but most often patients seek medical help even if any complications are identified. Diagnosis of Sherman-Mau disease begins with interviewing the patient with an orthopedic surgeon and collecting a family history. The best option for detecting pathology is considered an x-ray, which immediately shows signs of curvature. Often, the patient has numerous hernias and wedge-shaped deformities.
Additionally, the patient may need other types of medical examinations:
- dopplerography;
- electromyography;
- CT
- MRI
In addition, it may require several consultations with specialists such as:
- pulmonologist;
- neurosurgeon;
- cardiologist;
- neuropathologist.
Therapy
Treatment of Sherman-Mau disease involves the use of conservative and surgical techniques. In addition, certain medications may be prescribed to the patient. In the treatment of such a serious disease as Sherman-Mau disease, simple and quick methods of treatment are out of the question. Even special therapeutic regimens often cause a lot of controversy among doctors about their effectiveness. As for surgical intervention, they resort to it only in advanced cases of the course of the disease. The reason for the operation may be:
- violation of breathing or blood flow;
- compression of the heart or lungs;
- the presence of severe pain that cannot be eliminated with the help of drugs;
- bending angle exceeding 60 degrees.
The effectiveness of exercise therapy
Treatment of the disease with massage and physical education can help the patient only in the early stages of the development of the disease. Moreover, for each person, the training course is selected individually. Exercises involving a metal stick must be done every day for 40-45 minutes. In case of positive changes, the frequency and duration of classes may be reduced. The course of exercise therapy for the normalization of posture is aimed at:
- study of the gluteal muscles;
- strengthening the thoracic region and its stretching;
- elimination of tension from the lower back and neck;
- stabilization of breathing.
Drug treatment
Various drugs can help the patient get rid of unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Eliminate the pain in Sherman-Mau syndrome using:
- NSAIDs that are used to relieve pain and inflammation;
- glucocorticosteroids are sometimes used for pronounced clinical manifestations of pathology;
- muscle relaxants help eliminate muscle spasm;
- chondroprotectors are necessary to prevent the occurrence of intervertebral hernias;
- anesthetics relieve pain.
Surgical intervention
An operation is considered a necessary measure, which is resorted to only in extreme cases. Surgical intervention does not eliminate the disease instantly. After all, the initial causes of the pathology can provoke the appearance of relapses. During the operation, the curvature of the spine is removed and bone tissue plastic is performed. Using special plates and pins, the doctor strengthens the ridge.
In the event of any possible complications, decompression of the nerve endings, prosthetics of the motor vertebrae, or correction of the discs may additionally be required. After surgery, patients are recommended various rehabilitation courses:
- physiotherapy exercises;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- sanatorium treatment;
- immobilization;
- massage.
Prevention
In fact, preventing the development of pathology is unrealistic, since it appears most often against the background of a genetic predisposition. But in the event of the first signs of a defect, it is necessary to adhere to secondary prevention, which will make it possible to avoid the rapid progression of deformation. To prevent the development of Sherman-Mau disease, you should:
- regularly statically load the thoracic back;
- Correctly hold posture while sitting;
- eat fully, replenishing the diet with animal proteins, vegetables and fruits;
- exercise regularly, observing special training courses;
- get enough sleep;
- lose weight;
- be on the street regularly.