Learn what you should know about scoliosis. Get the facts on diagnosis, treatment, and living with this condition.
Scoliosis may present a difficult moment, especially if it shows any signs of prominence. Children may have social difficulties around their peers, leading to emotional challenges like insecurity, anger, and resentment. You can get a scoliosis Las Vegas diagnosis and treatment to help your child and you deal with scoliosis. Scoliosis treatment aims to manage the condition and stop its progression rather than treat it completely. You are looking at treatment forms like surgery and bracing to help keep the curves straight so you can still engage in activities you enjoy.
What should you know about Scoliosis?
The spine has a natural forward-backward curve, but when you have scoliosis, the spine develops a sideways curvature. The curvature may range from minimal to severe curving, especially as a child keeps growing, the curvature progresses. Severe curvatures may start squeezing the chest, causing difficulty in lung functioning. Scoliosis may present minor curves, which may be difficult to notice since they may also not cause pain. Noticeable signs and symptoms include uneven shoulders and waists, prominence of one shoulder blade over the other, one higher hip, and one prominent rib cage.
What are the Complications of Scoliosis?
Scoliosis may progress and lead to certain complications. Firstly, when your rib cage presses the lungs, you may start having breathing problems. Secondly, you may develop chronic back pain, especially in severe cases of scoliosis. Lastly, your appearance changes when you have scoliosis. Prominence develops on the ribs, shoulders, and hips, and you may become self-conscious.
What is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Scoliosis?
Your doctor will begin with a comprehensive family and medical review to get a complete history of your condition. You may have to move according to your doctor’s instructions to check for prominence. Some cases may require neurological exams to check for numbness and reflex action. Your doctor may also carry out imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis while showing the severity of scoliosis. Scoliosis treatment will depend on the severity, gender, and if the bones are still growing.
Bracing
Your doctor may recommend bracing for mild cases of scoliosis. Bracing ensures that the curve does not progress further but does not cure scoliosis. The effectiveness of a brace increases with the duration you have them on. You can still engage in many activities, even with braces.
Surgery
You may need surgery for severe scoliosis, as surgery straightens the curves, thus preventing its progression. Your surgical options may include spinal fusion, where your surgeon joins the vertebrae together so they can move together. Your doctor may use metal rods, screws, and wires to hold the spine straight, allowing for fusion. Another surgical option can be using expanding rods so that the spine can adjust while you grow, especially for young children whose bones are still growing.
Seek a consultation today at McNulty Spine if you have suspicions of scoliosis in you and your loved one. The facility has a capable team of doctors who will give you different treatment options and suggestions depending on the state of your scoliosis at the time of your visit. Do not let scoliosis worsen, visit the website and request an online appointment to address the condition as soon as possible.
