In the world there are many diseases of the spine. One of the most common is idiopathic scoliosis. It occurs in 80% of cases. Idiopathic are called all types of scoliosis with an undiagnosed origin. In other words, it is impossible to establish the cause of the curvature of the spine, since there are no congenital anomalies.
What is teenage idiopathic scoliosis?
There are three types of idiopathic scoliosis. The simplest is primary, infant. It can even go on its own without the intervention of doctors. The second type of scoliosis is juvenile, which develops up to ten years. This is a progressive form. The patient is prescribed to wear a corset and manual therapy.
The third type of disease is juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. It begins during puberty and intensive growth. This is the most dangerous type of scoliosis, which has an unstable clinical picture. It is impossible to predict the development of the disease due to the characteristics of the adolescent's body.
In some, scoliosis is slow and without serious consequences. Other adolescents show strong deviations from the norm. There are cases when the curvature of the spine increases even after adolescence. But this rarely happens, usually with age, the progression of the disease slows down.
Varieties of idiopathic scoliosis
Idiopathic scoliosis is divided into several varieties. They depend on the localization of the curvature:
- Lumbar (aka lumbar) manifests itself in the region of the first or second vertebra. Back pain begins at a late stage of the disease.
- Idiopathic thoracic scoliosis is also called thoracic. It is common in male adolescents and young children. The disease manifests itself in the thoracic vertebrae. In most cases, they bend to the right. Moreover, the top of the arc is in the region of 10 or 8 vertebrae. In severe cases of the disease, serious complications begin in the respiratory and cardiac systems.
- Thoracolumbar curvature is localized in the region of the 11th or 12th vertebrae. Pain is felt in the lumbar region.
- With cervico-thoracic curvature, facial features are distorted. The top of the deformation arc is in the region of 3-4 vertebrae. This form of scoliosis is congenital.
In the disease, there are three forms, classified according to the curvature arc. C is the simplest, initial one. It is easier and faster to treat. S - medium, Z - last, most difficult. These two forms are difficult to treat. Each arc has secondary deformations, which complicates the clinical picture of the disease.
Degrees of curvature
Idiopathic scoliosis has four degrees of curvature, depending on its angle (numbers are indicated in degrees):
- the first is up to 10;
- the second - up to 25;
- the third - up to 50;
- the fourth is over 50.
The first two degrees of curvature relate to the lungs. In this case, the work of internal organs is not disturbed. The most dangerous are the third and fourth degree of curvature. At the same time, internal organs can get damaged or even change their location, which is fraught with serious complications.
Causes of scoliosis
Idiopathic scoliosis has not yet received a clear list of reasons due to which pathology develops. There are many theories, but none of them provides an exhaustive explanation. Idiopathic curvature of the spine may appear due to:
- neuromuscular failure;
- violations of the development of bone tissue;
- muscle ligament insufficiency;
- destruction of sprouting cartilage.
In the occurrence of scoliosis, a genetic factor is important. The risk of idiopathic curvature is high in families with patients with this disease (even before the third line of kinship).
Symptoms of the disease
Pathology is accompanied by various symptoms that depend on the degree of the disease. Idiopathic scoliosis of the 1st degree is accompanied by mild manifestations of pathology. Basically, this is a violation of the respiratory functions due to a small displacement of the chest organs. Neuralgia in the form of girdle pain is much less common.
Severe forms of curvature are characterized by neurological syndromes. They can be expressed in limiting the movement of arms and legs, loss of skin sensitivity. With a secondary disease, it begins:
- pneumosclerosis, when non-functional connective tissue grows in the lungs;
- blood pressure rises;
- there is a so-called scoliotic heart, in which the right ventricle of the organ is deformed due to compression by its chest.
With a severe form of the disease, pulmonary or heart failure can occur. In other organs, stagnation appears, swelling of the extremities begins, the liver and spleen increase. Gastritis and chronic bronchitis develop.
Because of the curvature of the spine, the vertebrae are strongly deformed, disks are displaced. As a result, protrusion and hernia are formed. A spinal hump may appear when the thoracic regions protrude backward. Outwardly, the spine is at an acute angle.
Features of the treatment of scoliosis
Idiopathic scoliosis, the treatment of which depends on the possible further curvature, involves the use of several therapeutic methods. If functional changes in the spine are caused by abnormalities in the body, therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause.
When distortions of the spine are caused by different lengths of the legs, this is corrected with the help of special orthopedic shoes and insoles. In this case, no other treatment is required at all. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, which appears in infancy and develops up to the age of three, often disappears on its own.
The neuromuscular variety of pathology occurs due to improper development of the skeletal system of the spine. As a result, the disease takes a progressive form. In this case, surgery is necessary.
Drug treatment
Depending on the symptoms of the disease, its degree and course, medications are prescribed. For severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed (Meloxicam, Ibuprofen, etc.). To relieve muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed (for example, "Midokalm"). During therapy, calcium preparations, bisphosphonates and vitamins are prescribed.
Surgery
Idiopathic scoliosis is corrected by surgery, if other treatments have not led to a positive result. As a result, the patient retains pains that cannot be eliminated even by drugs.
The disease begins to progress even more, and the slope of the spinal column is approaching 45 degrees. Surgery is a last resort. If necessary, implants are inserted.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is an essential part of complex treatment. During the disease, muscle activity is significantly reduced, their weakness is observed. Therefore, physiotherapy is aimed at:
- elimination of muscular dystrophy;
- pain relief;
- spinal stabilization;
- improvement of muscle contractile function.
Autoreclination, static relaxation and underwater spinal traction are used to correct posture . Of the myostimulating techniques, pulse, low-frequency and electrotherapy are prescribed. For the correction of locomotor dysfunction are used:
- vibrotherapy;
- radon and hydrogen sulfide baths;
- peloid therapy;
- massotherapy;
- traction therapy ;
- underwater shower;
- manual therapy.
Ultraviolet irradiation and sodium chloride baths are done to improve metabolism. A separate complex is assigned special exercises (exercise therapy). Of non-traditional methods, yoga is used.
Contraindications to physiotherapy
Despite the fact that idiopathic scoliosis is treated mainly with the help of physiotherapy, there are a number of contraindications for its use:
- tumors in the spinal column;
- severe osteoporosis;
- hypermobility of the vertebrae;
- tuberculosis, manifested in the lower back;
- dislocations or fractures of the intervertebral joints.
Also, physiotherapy is not prescribed if defects are present on the area of the skin to be treated (wounds, ulcers, etc.).
Disease prevention
To prevent scoliosis, pregnant women should take B12 vitamins and folic acid preparations. It is necessary to control the posture of babies and adolescents, they are not allowed to sit hunched over. Children should not spend much time at a desk and a computer.
Vitamins must be present in the diet of babies and adolescents. Daily gymnastics is performed. It is advisable to introduce children to sports such as volleyball and swimming. When curving posture, adjustment should be carried out in the early stages of the disease.