Prevention of scoliosis in children: medical advice

Today we suggest you talk about the prevention of scoliosis in children. This problem is quite common. By scoliosis is understood the curvature of the spine in any direction and a change in the shape of the vertebrae.

It’s worth mentioning right away that this does not only reflect badly on the appearance of the child, but entails a number of serious problems, from loss of posture to diseases of the internal organs.

The main thing in this problem is to timely identify the disease in childhood and begin treatment. After all, only the children's spine can be corrected. It's a pity, but parents turn to a specialist for help late (at the moment when the problem is visible to the naked eye). And this is all, despite the wide spread of the disease, because scoliosis, which has a different severity, has been detected in more than 50% of schoolchildren.

The development of the disease always occurs in childhood, at a time when there is an intensive growth of the skeleton. It is for this reason that scoliosis is commonly called "childhood illness." Thanks to modern methods of therapy, this problem is solvable in children, since at the moment the spine is not yet fully formed. However, in adults who have reached the age of 20, posture correction is an incredibly difficult matter.

Causes

Let's try to learn more about the causes and prevention of scoliosis in children. Many parents are sure that the only cause of the disease is the wrong posture while studying. In some ways, they are right, because incorrect posture during walking or sitting leads to muscle relaxation, and the lack of tone in them leads to curvature. But it is worth paying attention to the fact that this is far from the only cause of scoliosis.

We will give you a list of only some of them:

• deformations that occurred during childbirth or during the period of intrauterine development of the child;
• spinal injury (absolutely any of its department);
• improper load distribution during sports;
• carrying a briefcase on one strap;
• rickets;
• cerebral palsy;
• avitaminosis;
• pleurisy;
• tuberculosis;
• shortening of one leg (even if it is visually imperceptible);
• abnormalities in the development of ribs and vertebrae;
• the presence of a large number of scars and burns and so on.

At an early stage, the disease can be detected only by an experienced specialist. Therefore, it is worth checking the child regularly with an orthopedic surgeon. If you assign timely treatment to the baby, then the progression of the disease can be stopped.

Risk factors

Before we move on to the treatment and prevention of scoliosis in children, we suggest that you consider the existing risk factors. Who is more likely to develop this disease? This pattern cannot be refuted: boys are less likely to suffer from this disease than girls. Why is this happening? Doctors have not yet been able to find the answer, but there is no arguing with statistics.

In addition, at risk children with diseases:

• rickets;
• nervous system problems;
• rheumatism.

In addition, heredity is worth noting. Of course, scoliosis is not inherited, but many genetic diseases can lead to its occurrence. We propose to consider the hereditary factor in a bit more detail in the next question of the article.

Hereditary factor

Many young couples who are preparing to become parents are interested in: can scoliosis be inherited from parents? Of course not! Although between this disease and heredity there is some relationship. There are a number of hereditary diseases that affect the development of pathology. These include:

• muscle dystrophy;
• diseases of the nervous system.

It is important to remember that the scoliosis gene as such does not exist.

What to do so that the child does not suffer from a similar problem? It is necessary to take measures to prevent scoliosis in preschool children. A regular visit to the orthopedist will help identify the problem at an early stage.

Kinds

Given age, three types of scoliosis can be distinguished:

1. infantile (up to three years);
2. juvenile (ten to fourteen years old);
3. teenage (fifteen to seventeen years old).

The first variety presented on our list, as a rule, passes independently. A more aggressive character is observed in adolescent scoliosis, which is caused by the rapid growth of the skeleton.

If a student has a stoop, then this is a serious reason for contacting an orthopedist. It is with a stoop that many parents confuse the first degree of the disease. That is why parents need to take measures to prevent scoliosis in children. If you skip the first step, then the symptoms of curvature become noticeable to the naked eye, and it is much more difficult to correct them.

Classification

For the correct treatment of the problem in medical practice, it is customary to divide all types of scoliosis into three types of curvature and four degrees of severity.

Types of curvature of the spinal column:

• C-shaped curvature (one arc of curvature);
• S-shaped (two arcs);
• Z-shaped (three arcs, is the most complex type).

The methods and duration of treatment directly depend not only on the type of disease, but also on the severity. In total, it is customary to distinguish four, more detailed information you will find in the table.

If the prevention and treatment of scoliosis in children is not carried out, then it progresses very quickly. Every day, the probability of correcting the spine is less and less. Do not drag on a visit to the doctor, sound the alarm as soon as the first signs begin. Give your child a healthy and happy future.

Possible complications

As mentioned earlier, the prevention of scoliosis in schoolchildren and preschoolers is a must. If you do not treat the initial stage of the disease, then it will begin to progress very quickly. Literally in one year, a slight stoop can develop into a 4th degree of scoliosis, which is almost impossible to cure.

What does inaction lead to? The following complications are possible:

• the spinal column is strongly deformed;
• a rib hump is formed;
• possible asymmetry of the pelvic bones;
• muscle dystrophy;
• headache;
• lung volume decreases;
• the work of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.

It is important to know that scoliosis contributes to many problems not only in the back.

Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, scoliosis of the first stage does not manifest itself at all. The child feels cheerful, leads an active lifestyle. You can notice only a weak stoop with slightly shouldered shoulders, the child will not complain of pain or discomfort.

However, if you do nothing, scoliosis will grow to the second stage, when signs are already becoming visible even to lay people. You can notice the following features:

• the head is almost always lowered;
• slouch;
• flat shoulders;
• the location of the shoulders is not on the same line.

The following signs will help to recognize the transition to the third degree:

• severe curvature of the spinal column;
• discomfort in the back;
• frequent headache;
• possible increased heart rate;
• shortness of breath appears.

Diagnostics

If a pediatric orthopedist needs consultation with a very small crumb to diagnose the problem, then parents can do this on their own in primary school students.

Have your child take off their clothes from their upper half and turn their backs on you. Let the child lean forward and leave his hands in a relaxed state, hanging down. What you need to evaluate in this pose:

1. the blades should be at the same height;
2. the distance between the body and arm should be the same on both sides.

The next test: the child stands with his back to you, his back is straight, his hands are pressed to the body. If the child has scoliosis, then you will notice the following features:

• asymmetry of the shoulders;
• the height at the lowered hands is not the same;
• the pelvic line is not parallel to a straight plane.

If you notice signs of this pathology, then you should immediately contact an orthopedist and begin treatment. But it’s important to remember that prevention of scoliosis in schoolchildren will not harm anyone. You can give your baby a swim or gymnastics. If this is not possible, then special charging and control over posture will be enough.

Treatment

Scoliosis prevention is much easier than treatment. Better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Nevertheless, if you missed the moment and the child needs treatment, the doctor may advise one or more measures to get rid of this ailment.

Treatments include:

• a corset that fixes the spine of the child in the correct position;
• Exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises);
• massage;
• swimming;
• surgical treatment (rarely used);
• taking medications (rarely used in advanced cases).

Gymnastics

Now we will talk a little about charging for the prevention of scoliosis in children and its treatment. The exercise should be supervised by a specialist. As moral support, parents are encouraged to work with their children. The regularity of classes is the key to a successful recovery.

The complex should be prescribed by a doctor. This takes into account both the age of the child and the degree of curvature of the spine.

What are the exercises for preventing scoliosis in children? Consider their varieties, given the extent of the problem.

1. First degree. General strengthening, breathing and symmetrical exercises are used here. Very rarely, and under the supervision of a specialist, they resort to asymmetric ones.
2. Second degree. General strengthening, breathing, less often - asymmetric and detorsion exercises.
3. Third and fourth degree. In this case, it is more advisable to conduct individual lessons. The whole complex of exercises is applied here. Contraindications are those movements that can increase the flexibility of the spinal column. This category includes turns, inclinations, and so on.

Such classes are usually held no more than four times a week. The duration of one lesson should not exceed 45 minutes. Physical activity is selected individually, taking into account some factors:

• endurance;
• degree of scoliosis;
• age;
• duration of treatment.

In no case should the pace be fast. All exercises have a slow or medium pace, and their purpose is muscle development and spinal column correction. When performing the complex, it is necessary to take into account the fact that children with scoliosis have pathological changes in the functioning of the heart and lungs. That is why you should monitor the pulse and pressure of the patient.

Swimming

A special place in the treatment of this problem is swimming. What is the use of this sport?

1. The natural load of the spine is observed.
2. Traction of the spinal column allows you to relieve bone growth areas.
3. Involvement in the work of all muscle groups.
4. Obstruction in the asymmetry of the vertebrae.
5. Improving coordination of movements.

Scoliosis of the 1st degree. Only two swimming techniques are performed - breaststroke and crawl (since they are symmetrical).

Scoliosis 3 and 2 degrees. Asymmetry. After mastering such styles, exercises for correction are performed.

Scoliosis 4 degrees. Exercises for the respiratory system, gymnastics with symmetrical exercises. It excludes swimming in an upright position and exercises that twist the spine.

Massage

The measures for the prevention of scoliosis in preschool children and the treatment of this disease include massage. The main tasks of massage in the treatment of this disease:

1. relieve spasm from overloaded muscles;
2. increase the tone of weak muscles that are lagging behind in development.

Thus, massage is an important point in the complex treatment of the disease and its prevention. This method has not only a general strengthening effect, but also helps to correct changes in the muscles. The latter is characteristic of this disease, as with muscle overload observed:

• foci of hypertonicity;
• hyperplasia
• muscle weakness.

Massage helps to eliminate all of the above problems. Thus, the uneven load on the spine is reduced. All this leads to a halt in the progression of the disease. In addition to everything that was said earlier, massage has other effects:

• pain reduction;
• improved blood circulation.

At the end of this section, it is worth noting that massage is prescribed absolutely for any degree of disease.

Physiotherapy

Procedures must be prescribed by your doctor. They help not only to get rid of scoliosis, but also to prevent it. Also, some physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to treat complications of the disease. All of them are aimed at activating the immune system and enhancing blood circulation. Physiotherapy includes:

• magnetotherapy;
• electrical stimulation;
• ultrasound;
• paraffin;
• electrophoresis.

Corset

We examined a lot of possible measures for the prevention of scoliosis in children of school and preschool age. But wearing a special corset is suitable exclusively for the treatment of 2, 3 or 4 stages of curvature of the spinal column.

Prolonged and proper use contributes to the effective elimination of the disease. Please note that the corset should be selected only by the attending physician so that it suits your child as much as possible.

The recommendation for wearing it includes: the use of clothing under a corset with a small number of seams and bumps.

Disease prevention

Many parents ask a question: what is the role of a nurse in preventing scoliosis in children? Let's try to answer this question clearly and concisely. A nurse must know the basics of orthopedics. In addition, a very difficult task lies on her shoulders - to establish contact with the patient. Her duty is to prepare the baby for an examination of the spine, for example, for MRI or CT. The truth of the result depends on the correct preparation. Two other responsibilities are assistance in performing exercises, recommendations for parents.

The best way to prevent scoliosis in children is gymnastics, daily morning workout, maintaining posture when walking or sitting. In addition, there are several more recommendations:

• use of an orthopedic mattress;
• control over the activity of the child (active games should alternate with quiet activities);
• proper nutrition;
• competent choice of a portfolio and so on.

These simple recommendations will help to avoid this disease and give your baby a healthy and happy future. A timely visit to a specialist will warn you of serious consequences. Remember that the disease is much easier to prevent than to treat it.