The spine, if properly formed, has slight natural curves. When viewed from the side in the thoracic and sacral regions, it bends back, and in the cervical and lumbar - forward. Thanks to this structure, the spine is able to bend and absorb. However, there are cases when at birth or after a while the posture is bent, the vertebral bend deviates from the norm. Moreover, changes can occur in several directions. This deformity is more severe and more difficult to treat. Most often among this kind of pathologies, kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine occurs.
What is kyphoscoliosis
Kyphoscoliosis is a pathological disease, which is characterized by a curvature of the spine in two planes simultaneously: in the anteroposterior and lateral, that is, 2 pathologies - kyphosis and scoliosis - are combinedtogether.
Teens are most susceptible to kyphoscoliosis. According to statistics, this pathology is 4 times more common in boys than in girls. If kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine is noted in an adult, this means that the curvature was not cured in childhood, and gradually, due to the development of scoliosis and kyphosis, the spine was deformed.
Reasons
The disease is based on the following causes:
• Weakening of the back muscles. If the physical development of the child is insufficient, the muscles are not able to adapt to the increased growth of the spine, which can lead to a modification of the vertebrae themselves, followed by deformation of the spine.
• Sedentary lifestyle. Crooked posture at the table, along with lack of physical activity, provokes the onset of the curvature of the spine.
• Problems of a socio-psychological nature. Stoop often develops against the background of a reflex attempt by the body to protect itself from external factors. Often this problem is associated with high growth, emotional overload, the constant influence of others.
• Great physical activity. Excessive force loads on the pectoral muscles in the absence of a well-developed musculo-ligamentous apparatus can cause stoop in adolescents and make the chest hollow.
• Uneven loads on different parts of the body. Some sports exercises develop only one muscle group without affecting the rest, which can lead to deformation of the spinal column in one way or another.direction.
In addition to the above, factors such as psychological stress, trauma and surgery on the spine, diseases of the musculoskeletal system (cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, osteochondrosis, tumors) can also provoke kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine.
The causes of the disease may be associated with abnormal intrauterine development of the child, and also be hereditary.
Classification
Depending on the causes that provoked the disease, there are types of disease.
Congenital kyphoscoliosis. Associated with the abnormal formation of individual vertebrae, as well as the formation of fused or extra ribs. Such a disease, as a rule, can be detected in a child at the age of 6 months and it is not difficult to cure it in the early stages of development.
Hereditary kyphoscoliosis. Differs in the same character of development in a number of generations and is inherited according to the dominant type.
Acquired kyphoscoliosis. Appears due to incorrect posture, psychological stress, trauma and surgical manipulations on the spine, certain diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Idiopathic kyphoscoliosis. This diagnosis is established in cases where the cause of the curvature of the spine can not be found. The most common form of idiopathic scoliosis develops in adolescents at the stage of accelerated growth (11-15 years).
How dangerous is thisdisease
Kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, if left untreated, can adversely affect the functioning of internal organs, primarily the respiratory system. When the mobility of the chest is impaired, the lungs shrink in volume, the load on the respiratory muscles increases, insufficient gas exchange occurs, followed by a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood. As a result, pulmonary and even heart failure develops.
Pathological changes in the ridge cause constant congestion of its structures, as well as paravertebral muscles. Therefore, kyphoscoliosis often leads to osteochondrosis, the formation of intervertebral protrusions and hernias, which is a trigger for the development of neurological diseases.
In addition, kyphoscoliosis can damage the genitourinary system.
Symptoms
The main signs of kyphoscoliosis are:
- stoop when sitting and walking;
- drawing pains in the muscles of the neck and back;
- pain in the back, especially after a long stay in one position;
- dizziness, weakness and fatigue;
- pain in the heart, arrhythmia;
- shortness of breath on strenuous exercise.
The last stages of the development of the disease are characterized by deformity of the chest and pelvis. The patient has impaired coordination of movements, which can lead to loss of mobility.
Diagnosis
In case of suspected curvaturespine should pay a visit to an orthopedic traumatologist, in some cases, you may need the help of a neurologist. To establish the diagnosis of "kyphoscoliosis", first of all, the specialist performs an external examination: assesses the degree and nature of the curvature, checks the strength of the muscular apparatus, tendon reflexes and skin sensitivity.
If a deformity is suspected, an x-ray of the spine is taken in different projections. For a more accurate diagnosis, sometimes you have to resort to examination methods such as CT and MRI.
Stages of disease
Kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, 1st degree. Accompanied by slight lateral displacement and slight twisting. The skew angle in this case does not exceed 55°.
Kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, 2nd degree. In this case, the back has more pronounced lateral curvature and twist.
Kyphoscoliosis grade 3. It is characterized by deformation changes in the chest and the formation of a costal hump.
Kyphoscoliosis grade 4. There is a curvature not only of the ridge and chest, but also of the pelvic bones.
Based on the nature of the lateral shift of the spine, left-sided and right-sided kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine are distinguished.
Treatment Method
Depending on the stage of development of kyphoscoliosis, conservative and surgical therapy is used.
As a rule, the initial stages of curvature respond well to conservative treatment. One of the main directionsprevention and conservative treatment of kyphoscoliosis - therapeutic physical culture. Exercise therapy for kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine consists in the use of a number of special exercises aimed at shaping and strengthening the muscle corset, as well as relaxing and stretching certain muscle groups. All this is prescribed individually by the attending physician.
Exercises for kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine should be performed under the supervision of an exercise therapy instructor, because the effectiveness of the therapeutic measure depends on the correct implementation of them.
In addition to physical exercises, patients are prescribed corrective orthopedic corsets, physiotherapy, acupuncture, kinesitherapy, therapeutic massage, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs as conservative therapy.
The surgical method is used for extremely severe deformities (kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, grade 3, and also 4). In this case, osteoplastic surgery is performed or surgical correction with endocorrectors is resorted to. The last option is used most often. Its essence lies in the fixation of the spine with the help of a metal structure, which is modeled under its physiological curves. After such an operation, patients need long-term rehabilitation.
Prevention measures
In order to prevent and prevent the development of pathologythe spine must adhere to certain rules:
• Sleep on a hard mattress. At the same time, sleeping on the back is considered the best for posture, and not on the side.
• When carrying a bag, do not load the same shoulder. In this case, it is better to prefer a backpack so that the load is evenly distributed.
• Arrange the workplace so that it contributes to maintaining the correct posture.
• If you are prone to kyphoscoliosis, it is contraindicated to lift weights, stand and jump on one leg.
Kyphoscoliosis is a very unpleasant disease that causes significant pain and can be fraught with serious complications. That is why it is so important to prevent the appearance and development of this disease. If, nevertheless, the symptoms have made themselves felt, you should not delay, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.
