Scoliosis is a medical condition that affects the spine, causing abnormal side curves. The symptoms of scoliosis can affect anyone, especially children and teenagers as they get older.
If noticed, people with scoliosis will have a spine shape resembling the letter 'S' or 'C'. Without proper treatment, scoliosis can develop into a serious problem.
Generally, this spinal disorder causes no symptoms. However, the condition may worsen with age. Scoliosis can create a curved posture that affects aesthetic factors and the performance of surrounding vital organs such as breathing disorders due to pressure on the lungs and heart.
Therefore, it is important to recognize some of the symptoms of scoliosis below:
The first symptom of scoliosis is a spine that appears curved. This results in a back that does not appear straight from behind and can take the shape of the letter "S" or "C" when viewed from the side.
A curved spine is usually only noticed after a doctor's examination. During the examination, the doctor will ask the patient to bend over (forward bending test). The goal is to find out whether there are protruding ribs or not (hump). Furthermore, if there is a protrusion of the ribs, the doctor will measure it using a scoliometer.
Furthermore, if from the physical examination there is a suspicion of scoliosis, then to confirm the degree of curvature of the spine the doctor will also perform a special x-ray examination of the spine for scoliosis (x-ray scoliosis view).
Generally, these examinations are sufficient to make a diagnosis, but if there are abnormalities in the spine caused by other things, such as nerve disorders, very rapid growth of scoliosis, or unusual forms of scoliosis, the examination will continue with an MRI scan.
Apart from having a curved spine, another symptom of scoliosis is that the shoulder is higher than the other side of the shoulder. This is triggered by a curved spine that makes the position of the bones in other parts change.
In some cases, scoliosis can cause misalignment of the shoulders. One shoulder may appear higher or lower than the other.
Curved rotation of the spine is the main characteristic of scoliosis. Rotating vertebrae can significantly affect the position of the shoulders.
This rotation will make one shoulder appear higher as there is a misalignment in the true shoulder height and the apparent shoulder height. In addition, changes in the shape of the spine and chest wall can exacerbate the difference in shoulder height.
Not only does it cause the shoulder position to be higher than the other, but another symptom of scoliosis is also that one hip is more prominent than the other.
This is caused by the position of the spine that is curved to the side so that the hips look asymmetrical. This can cause pain in the back area due to the less precise position of the bones.
The curvature of the spine that occurs in scoliosis can cause a shift in the shoulder blades. When the shoulder blades rotate, one end will be higher than the other, resulting in a difference in shoulder blade height.
This can affect posture and balance, cause discomfort, and can even affect shoulder and upper arm function.
Proper monitoring and treatment are required to manage the symptoms associated with this shoulder blade height difference.
For examination and treatment, you can visit a health facility that provides Orthopedic Spine and Pain services such as Persada Hospital Malang.
Scoliosis refers to a condition where there is an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature in the spine.
It can occur naturally or be the result of genetics, disease, injury, aging, or abnormal growth. In addition, scoliosis can be a congenital condition or occur later in life, especially around puberty.
When a person has scoliosis, the spine changes shape and position. This causes the body to look unbalanced, with one side higher or more prominent than the other.
One of the common symptoms of scoliosis is uneven waist height. Uneven waist height in scoliosis occurs when the hips and pelvis are not at the same level.
This results in an asymmetrical appearance and discomfort for the sufferer. The abnormal curvature of the spine in scoliosis can shift the position of the hips and pelvis, creating a difference in waist height.
Uneven waist height in scoliosis can have significant physical and psychological impacts. Such impacts include:
1. Discomfort and pain: The difference in waist height can cause discomfort and pain in the lumbar area, pelvis and back.
2. Impaired posture: Scoliosis and uneven waist height can affect posture, making sufferers feel less confident and struggle with daily activities.
3. Leg length inequality: Waist height differences can also affect leg length, which can result in additional posture issues and body imbalances. This will certainly interfere with daily activities as it relates to the way the patient walks.
To determine whether there is an abnormality in waist height, during the examination the doctor will ask the patient to walk and assess whether there is any gait disturbance.
Lower back pain is one of the most common symptoms of scoliosis. There are several factors that affect lower back pain in people with scoliosis:
1. Tension in muscles and ligaments
The abnormal curvature of scoliosis can cause excessive strain on the muscles and ligaments around the lower spine area. This tension can be a significant source of pain.
2. Structural Dislocation
Over time, scoliosis can cause structural shifts in the lower spine area.
This can affect the balance of the body and result in excessive pressure on the joints and lower spine, causing pain.
3. Thickness of Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral discs are tissues that act as cushions between the vertebrae. In cases of scoliosis, the intervertebral discs in the affected areas of the spine may undergo changes in thickness resulting in additional pressure on the surrounding nerve structures.
4. Inflammation
Scoliosis can also cause inflammation in the tissues around the spine. This inflammation can increase nerve sensitivity and cause lower back pain.
5. Posture Disorder
The curvature of the spine in scoliosis can alter posture, which can result in postural compensation and additional pressure on the lower back.
However, excessive back pain is an unusual condition experienced by people with scoliosis. Therefore, the presence of excessive pain in people with scoliosis requires a more in-depth examination to determine whether there are comorbidities in the spine, such as tumors or infections.
A stiff back in scoliosis is the result of structural changes in the spine. A stiff back can cause back pain, especially when standing or sitting in a prolonged position.
One of the causes of back stiffness in people with scoliosis is muscle tension. The muscles around the curved area become unbalanced due to structural changes in the spine. Muscles that are pulled more strongly will result in a stiff back.
The muscles around the spine play an important role in maintaining a healthy posture. In individuals with scoliosis, there is an imbalance of muscles along the curved spine.
The muscles on one side of the curvature tend to become weaker, while the muscles on the other side become more tense to try to compensate for this curvature.
The ideal position of the head is when the skull, cervical vertebrae, and cervical spine (cervical vertebrae) are in an aligned axis. This allows for even distribution of body weight throughout the spine.
However, in people with scoliosis there is a rotation of the spine that causes one side of the spine to be higher than the other. This can force the head to tilt or move from an axis that is parallel to the body. During the examination, the doctor will perform a pendulum test (plumb line test) to determine whether or not the condition exists.
Also Read: Causes of Back Pain and How to Manage It
Scoliosis will worsen and reduce the quality of life of the sufferer if not treated as soon as possible. Treatment of scoliosis depends on the severity of the condition, ranging from periodic observation in mild degrees of scoliosis, the use of a corset (brace) in moderate degrees, to operative measures in severe degrees. The impact will be more severe if not treated immediately.
Therefore, the examination needs to be done immediately by a professional to get the right treatment. Persada Hospital Malang provides Orthopedic Spine and Pain services that can treat and care for scoliosis patients.
Health services are carried out by experienced doctors with advanced technology. Supported by a team of experts, your scoliosis symptoms can be treated appropriately.
Visit Orthopedic Spine and Pain for further examination if you experience scoliosis symptoms such as the points above. Check the schedule of Persada Hospital orthopedic doctors to make a consultation visit at the orthopedic clinic. Also learn the latest health information through Persada Hospital's article page.
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