The 5 Most Important Things To Know About Scoliosis Pain

1) Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine. However spinal curvature is not generally a painful condition. In over 90% of cases there is no pain reported.

2) No specific exercise routine has been proven to reduce or prevent scoliosis curvature. However, exercise is highly recommended for both scoliosis and non-scoliosis patients alike to keep back muscles strong and flexible. Though it has never been proven to reverse scoliosis many patients report back pain relief from certain back stretches and exercises (see below)

3) A small degree of curvature in a patient nearing skeletal maturity (approximately 18 years old) is not likely to cause pain or need treatment. Conversely, a younger patient with a bigger curve is likely to need close medical observation and possibly treatment such as bracing (see below for details)

4) If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis make sure that the physician tells the child that they will be fine. The physician should also tell them that they will not likely experience any pain or disability from their scoliosis. The mental state of the child set by the physician can play a big role in determining whether or not they will have pain from their scoliosis in later life.

5) Physical Therapy will not reverse advanced curves, but can increase spinal range of motion and reduce pain and disability.

Back Stretches And Exercises For Scoliosis:

As stated above no exercise routine has been proven to reveres a scoliosis curve but physical therapist have developed a number of back stretches and exercises that have been very beneficial in reducing back pain, increasing flexibility and reducing disability.

Scoliosis patients who have back pain or want to be proactive about minimizing the possibility of developing pain in the future are always encouraged to seek the advice of a physician or a physical therapist.
Patients who are interested in learning a safe and effective home exercise program for scoliosis should consider investing in the “Health In Your Hands” Scoliosis Exercise DVD.

This is a great resource for learning the most effective stretches and exercises for a scoliosis curvature. The DVD is easy to follow and clearly demonstrates a number of stretch and exercises used by physical therapists to strengthen the spine and reduce back pain. For a guide to the most effective stretches and exercise on the DVD click here

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine when seen from behind. This problem can cause a rotation in the spine as well (rotoscoliosis).

Scoliosis curves in the spine are measured in degrees. A normal spine is straight or has a curve of less than 10 degrees. A mild scoliosis curve is from 10 to 20 degrees. Moderate scoliosis curve is 20 to 50 degrees. Severe scoliosis curve is over 50 degrees.

Types of Scoliosis
* Idiopathic Spinal Curves are the most common types of scoliosis. They usually start in childhood. (Ages 10 to 12) The problem can also start in younger children as well as teens.

* Juvenile Spinal Curves can be quite serious since they begin in early childhood and often demand aggressive treatment.

* Adult Spinal Scoliosis generally appears in older adults and is most common past middle age.

* Congenital Spinal Curvature is a spinal defect that develops when the child is still in-utero.

Scoliosis Facts

Most scoliosis curves are categorized as either C shaped, curved like a “ C” or S shaped curved like an “S”.

Scoliosis can occur in the middle back (thoracic curve), the lower back, (lumbar curve) or the area where the 2 regions meet (thoracolumbar curve). Scoliosis most commonly occurs in the thoracic spine.

Spinal curvature is not generally a painful condition. In over 90% of cases there is no pain reported.

The diagnosis of scoliosis is relatively simple. Most schools have regular exams, frequently administered by a school nurse or a visiting doctor. A family practice doctor or chiropractor can diagnose a spinal curvature. X-rays are often taken to confirm the diagnosis and measure the amount of curvature.

Scoliosis symptoms

Scoliosis symptoms are mainly signs that the condition is present, rather than symptoms such as pain or discomfort.

· Unequal shoulder height.
· Unequal waist or hip height.
· Prominent ribs on one side.
· Obvious lean to one side.
· Uneven shoulder blades.

Severe Scoliosis

Scoliosis that is considered severe (over 70 degrees) can result in the ribs constricting the lungs and heart. Breathing problems can occur that can lead an increased risk for pneumonia. Severe scoliosis almost always requires treatment. Therapy options are limited however they are still the best medicine can currently offer. A spinal fusion usually recommended for severe scoliosis.

Pain From Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a fairly common condition. Most scoliosis patients have mild curves that do not require treatment. The majority of mild spinal curves will not cause pain or be apparent to the patient or others. Moderate to severe scoliosis is rarely painful, but should be monitored by a physician. Some cases of scoliosis can threaten the integrity of the spine resulting in pain in the back muscles or internal organs.

A specialist and possibly a spine surgeon should treat persistent pain from severe scoliosis. It is regrettable that modern medicine has few options with regard to the treatment of severe scoliosis.

As science progresses doctors will hopefully have a better idea of the genetic causes of scoliosis and will devise ways to prevent it rather than treat it.

Scoliosis Treatment

Scoliosis treatment is very limited in its effectiveness. There are basically only 2 treatments that have been proven to be effective. The first is surgical correction and the second is the use of back braces.

Back Braces For Scoliosis

Back braces have been shown to be effective at controlling scoliosis. A brace is generally recommended as soon as the condition is becoming a persistent issue. A back brace is normally used to treat spinal curves in excess of 10 degrees and less than 45 degrees.
In order for a back brace to be effective, it should be worn 16 to 23 hours a day. The brace will need to worn as long as the child is growing.

A back brace will not correct an existing spinal curve. It may correct a curvature temporary, but the curve will usually return when the use of the brace is discontinued. A back brace is 90% effective in preventing mild to moderate curves from progressing but a brace will not help a severe scoliosis.

Types of Back Braces

The classic Milwaukee Brace is rarely used these days. It is bulky, made of metal and limits movement considerably. Modern plastic braces are less apparent and permit more freedom of movement.

New back brace designs are being produced using high tech materials that are more comfortable, less noticeable and less restrictive.

Alternative Scoliosis Treatments

Despite several claims by different therapies effective scoliosis treatment is still quite limited.

* Chiropractic care cannot reverse a curve but may be able to reduce pain and symptoms.

* Electrotherapy cannot reverse a scoliosis but may be effective at relieving symptoms.

* Physical Therapy will not reverse advanced curves, but can increase range of motion and reduce pain and disability.

Scoliosis Surgery

Scoliosis surgery is easily the most invasive and extreme of all spine surgeries. Surgical correction of scoliotic curves is only used in severe cases or in cases where the problem is rapidly increasing. Surgeons generally reserve surgery for curves greater than 50 degrees. Young children are also not surgical candidates since they are still growing. It is best to wait until the child has progressed through the majority of their growth before considering spine surgery.

The surgery will invariably entail some sort of spinal fusion. This surgery makes use of bone grafts and hardware (screws, hooks and rods) to align the spine and prevent the progression of the scoliosis. Bone grafts are generally taken from the patient’ hip bones or from cadaver bone.

Spinal Fusion Scoliosis Surgery

For most thoracic scoliosis, ten vertebrae must be fused which not only prevents the curve from progressing but also severely limits spinal motion. The surgeon uses screws, metal rods to stabilize the vertebrae and the bone grafts help the vertebrae to permanently grow together over time.
The surgery entails making incisions in the front of the abdomen (anterior), the back (posterior), or a combination of the two. A posterior fusion is generally the most invasive, requiring the most muscle dissection and potential damage to healthy tissue. This type of surgery generally requires more vertebrae to be fused as well. The anterior (abdominal) approach usually require fusing fewer vertebral levels, but cannot be used for all kinds of curves.

It is usually necessary to perform a discectomy surgery in order to remove all of the intervertebral discs in the levels to be fused. This procedure is performed just prior to the fusion surgery and allows for a more stable correction.

Scoliosis Surgery Warnings

This surgery definitely has some increase risk relative to other spinal surgeries. The incisions are usually large and leave bad scars. There is a significant risk of infection. There is a risk of rejection of cadaver bone grafts if they used. Spinal fluid can leak after surgery. There can also be continued bleeding after the surgery. The healthy vertebral levels above and below the fusion have increased risk of injury after the surgery. There is always a chance of peripheral nerve damage when fusing a spine. There is also the possibility of an unsuccessful fusion and continued progression of the scoliosis. Complications arise in 10% to 20% of scoliosis surgery patients.

Spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis a very serious procedure. The surgery can take many hours to complete and the rehab is long and arduous. The patient generally remains hospitalized for 4 to 7 days following the surgery and the patient will must severely limit their physical activity for up to a year. However surgery may be the only option for a severe scoliosis.

If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis make sure that the physician tells the child that they will be fine. The physician should also tell them that they will not likely experience any pain from their scoliosis. The mental state of the child set by the physician can play a big role in determining whether or not they will have pain from their scoliosis in later life.