There are many diseases of the spine in the world. One of the most common is idiopathic scoliosis. It occurs in 80% of cases. Idiopathic refers to all types of scoliosis with an unidentified origin. In other words, it is impossible to determine the cause of the curvature of the spine, since there are no congenital anomalies.
What is juvenile idiopathic scoliosis?
There are three types of idiopathic scoliosis. The simplest - initial, infantile. It can even pass on its own, without the intervention of doctors. The second type of scoliosis is juvenile, which develops up to ten years. This form is progressive. The patient is assigned 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 a variable clinical picture. It is impossible to predict the development of the disease due to the characteristics of the teenager's body.
Some scoliosis is slow and without serious consequences. Other teenagers have strong deviations from the norm. There are cases where 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 location of the curvature:
- Lumbar (otherwise lumbar) appears in the region of the first or second vertebra. Back pain begins late in the disease.
- Idiopathic thoracic scoliosis is otherwise called thoracic. It is common in male adolescents and young children. The disease manifests itself in the thoracic vertebrae. In most cases, they are bent to the right side. In this case, the top of the arc is located in the region of 10 or 8 vertebrae. With a severe degree 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 cervicothoracic curvature, facial features are distorted. The apex of the deformity arc is located in the region of 3-4 vertebrae. This form of scoliosis is congenital.
The disease has three forms, classified according to the arc of curvature. C - the most simple, initial. It is easier and faster to treat. S - medium, Z - the last, most difficult. These two forms are difficult to treat. Each arc has secondary deformations, whichcomplicates the clinical picture of the disease.
Degrees of curvature
Idiopathic scoliosis has four degrees of curvature, depending on its angle (numbers are in degrees):
- first - up to 10;
- second - up to 25;
- third - up to 50;
- fourth - over 50.
The first two degrees of curvature are mild. At the same time, the work of internal organs is not disturbed. The most dangerous are the third and fourth degrees of curvature. In this case, internal organs can be 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 gives an exhaustive explanation. Idiopathic curvature of the spine may appear due to:
- neuromuscular failure;
- developmental disorders of bone tissue;
- musculoskeletal insufficiency;
- destruction of the growth cartilage.
In the occurrence of scoliosis is important genetic factor. The risk of developing idiopathic curvature is high in families with patients with this disease (even up to the third line of kinship).
Symptoms of the disease
Pathology is accompanied by different symptoms, which depend on the degree of the disease. Idiopathic scoliosis of the 1st degree is accompanied by mild manifestationspathology. Basically, this is a violation of respiratory functions due to a slight displacement of the chest organs. Much less often, neuralgia is observed in the form of girdle pain.
Severe forms of curvature are characterized by neurological syndromes. They can be expressed in the restriction of movement of the arms and legs, loss of skin sensitivity. With a secondary disease begins:
- pneumosclerosis, when non-functional connective tissue grows in the lungs;
- blood pressure rises;
- the so-called scoliotic heart is noted, in which the right ventricle of the organ is deformed due to compression by the chest.
If the disease is severe, pulmonary or heart failure may occur. In other organs, stagnation appears, swelling of the extremities begins, the liver and spleen increase. Gastritis and chronic bronchitis develops.
Due to the curvature of the spine, the vertebrae are severely deformed, the discs are displaced. As a result, protrusions and hernias are formed. A vertebral hump may appear when the thoracic regions protrude backward. Outwardly, it can be seen that the spine is at an acute angle.
Features of scoliosis treatment
Idiopathic scoliosis, whose treatment depends on possible further curvature, involves the use of several therapeutic techniques. If the functional changes in the spine are caused by abnormalities in the body, the therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause.
When spinal distortions are causeddifferent leg lengths, 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 begins in infancy and develops before the age of three, often resolves on its own.
The neuromuscular type 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, surgical intervention is necessary.
Medicated treatment
Depending on the symptoms of the disease, its degree and course, medications are prescribed. With severe pain, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs (Meloxicam, Ibuprofen, etc.) are prescribed. To relieve muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed (for example, Mydocalm). During therapy, calcium, bisphosphonates and vitamins are prescribed.
Surgery
Idiopathic scoliosis is corrected with surgery if other treatments have failed. As a result, the patient has pain that is not eliminated even by drugs.
The disease begins to progress even more, and the slope of the spinal column approaches 45 degrees. Surgery is a last resort. Implants are inserted if necessary.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapy is a mustcomplex treatment. During illness, muscle activity is significantly reduced, their weakness is observed. Therefore, physiotherapy is aimed at:
- eliminate muscular dystrophy;
- pain reduction;
- Spine stabilization;
- improvement of muscle contractile function.
Autoreclination, static relaxation and underwater traction of the spine are used for posture correction. Of the myostimulating techniques, pulsed, low-frequency and electrotherapy are prescribed. To correct locomotor dysfunction, the following are used:
- vibrotherapy;
- radon and hydrogen sulfide baths;
- peloid therapy;
- therapeutic massage;
- traction therapy;
- underwater shower;
- manual therapy.
To improve metabolism, ultraviolet irradiation and sodium chloride baths are done. Special exercises (exercise exercises) are assigned as a separate complex. Of the non-traditional methods, yoga is used.
Contraindications for 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;
- pronounced osteoporosis;
- vertebral hypermobility;
- tuberculosis manifesting in the lower back;
- dislocations or fractures of the intervertebral joints.
Also, physiotherapy is not prescribed if there are defects (wounds, ulcers andetc.).
Disease prevention
Pregnant women should take B12 vitamins and folic acid supplements to prevent scoliosis. 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 the desk and computer.
Vitamins must be present in the diet of babies and adolescents. Gymnastics is performed daily. It is desirable to introduce children to sports such as volleyball and swimming. If the posture is distorted, correction should be carried out in the early stages of the disease.
