Scoliosis is a condition that causes a person’s spine to curve. This curvature can be mild or severe and may affect one side of the body more than the other. The condition usually develops during adolescence when bones are still growing and changing.
It is mainly seen in girls and women because they have wider pelvises than boys. For this reason, they are more prone to developing scoliosis during puberty as their hips widen, which causes an imbalance between the spine and pelvis.
Scoliosis treatment in Adelaide has witnessed a drastic increase over the past few years. Since 2006, the number of people receiving scoliosis treatment has increased by more than 500% in Adelaide.
This change is primarily due to advances in technology, which have made it possible for doctors to both diagnose and treat scoliosis at an earlier age than ever before.
Overview
Scoliosis causes your spine to curve sideways. In most cases, it results from an abnormality in the bones and muscles in the spine. It can be caused by several factors, including genetics, an infection, and muscle imbalances (like having tight hamstrings). In most cases, however, scoliosis is not life-threatening but can cause pain and affect your quality of life.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of scoliosis include the following:
- Back pain. The most common symptom of scoliosis is back pain, ranging from mild to severe and may radiate into the legs or arms. Some people with scoliosis don’t experience any significant pain at all.
- Neck pain. Most people with scoliosis also have neck pain similar to what they feel in their back (see above). It may be caused by the abnormal curvature of the spine pushing on nerves running through the neck area.
- Shoulder or arm pain that radiates down one side of your body, especially if you have a history of trauma, such as an accident while playing sports or lifting something heavy.
Causes
Several things can cause scoliosis. It is most often due to an asymmetry in the spinal bones, which causes the spine to curve and usually results in an abnormal curvature of the torso. This can occur due to abnormal development during childhood or later in adulthood. In some cases, scoliosis has no known cause (idiopathic).
Marfan syndrome may lead to scoliosis because it affects connective tissue like ligaments and tendons that hold parts of your body together. People with this condition often have very flexible joints, long arms and legs, curved fingers, and an increased risk for dislocation of joints such as shoulders and hips due to weak tissues holding them together.
Neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy can also contribute to scoliosis if they cause muscle weakness or paralysis.
Risk factors
Risk factors for scoliosis include:
- Age. Scoliosis is most common in children and adolescents but can also appear later in life.
- Sex. Scoliosis is more common in females than males of all ages. This may be because girls are born with wider spinal curves than boys or that female hormone levels may be linked to the development of scoliosis.
- Ethnicity/race. The incidence of scoliosis varies among different ethnic groups; however, it has been found that Asians have a lower risk for developing curves than Caucasians or African-Americans.
Complications
Spinal cord compression can be a severe complication that can lead to permanent disability or death. According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, “Spinal cord compression occurs when spinal canal stenosis causes pressure on the spinal cord.”
Complications are more likely if your curve is greater than 50 degrees. Increased curvature also increases your risk of back pain, breathing problems and other difficulties.
Conclusion
Scoliosis affects the spine and spinal cord. Depending on medical opinion and the severity of symptoms, you can get scoliosis treatment in Adelaide. Adelaide is ranked among the ten most liveable cities in the world, with world-class healthcare. While you can find the best medical services in Adelaide, it would be best to inquire properly before getting any treatment done.
Author name : Justin
