Scoliosis: The Curvature of the Spine

Scoliosis is characterized by a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature in the spine, deviating from the normal straight vertical line. A healthy spine displays natural curves when viewed from the side but appears straight when viewed from the back. In cases of scoliosis, this lateral curvature is evident when the spine is viewed from the back.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Scoliosis often goes unnoticed, especially in children and teenagers, as it may not present noticeable symptoms or pain, particularly in milder cases.

  • Physical Symptoms: Physical signs can indicate the presence of scoliosis, often observed during the Adam’s Forward Bend Test:

    • One shoulder or hip higher than the other.

    • Prominent or uneven shoulder blades.

    • Uneven rib cage positioning.

    • Tilted body alignment.

    • Apparent leg length discrepancy.

Causes of Scoliosis

Scoliosis stems from various factors, and it's categorized into different types based on its cause:

  1. Congenital Scoliosis: Resulting from a spinal bone abnormality present at birth.

  2. Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Stemming from abnormal muscles or nerves, often seen in individuals with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

  3. Degenerative Scoliosis: Occurs due to bone collapse, previous significant back surgery, or osteoporosis-related changes.

  4. Idiopathic Scoliosis: The most common type, where the cause is not specifically identifiable.

Understanding the type and cause of scoliosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and management. Each type may have different implications and treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored care plans.

Severity and Frequency

  • Sciatica ranges from infrequent irritation to constant, debilitating pain.

  • Symptoms vary in type, location, and severity, based on the causative condition (like a lumbar herniated disc).

  • Permanent sciatic nerve damage is rare, but the pain can be intense.

Common Causes of Sciatica

Six lower back problems are frequently responsible for sciatica:

  • Lumbar herniated disc

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Isthmic spondylolisthesis

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis

  • Piriformis syndrome

  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Other causes may include pregnancy, scar tissue, muscle strain, spinal tumor, and infection.

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