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Any abnormal bending of the spine is termed scoliosis. Our spine plays essential functions in the body: it supports the body weight, offers flexibility to move and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots. The spine contains 100 joints, 120 muscles, and 220 ligaments, and the spinal cord protected by the spine is part of the central nervous system. The long and short of it is that it is a complex body part and any damage, deformity or disease can cause immobility, paralysis and many serious consequences.
This article features detailed documentation of types of spine deformities and their treatment. Continue reading to gather accurate medical information on various aspects related to spine deformities.
Consult our spine care Hospital in Gurgaon for treatment, if you have spine deformities discussed below.
Types of Spinal Deformities
Scoliosis is categorised into three groups depending on the age group it affects:
Scoliosis
Any abnormal curve in the spine is termed scoliosis. It is a deformity that occurs in the side-to-side curvature. It can occur in people of any age group from infants to adults. The symptoms can vary depending on the severity and could be the following: breathing difficulty, sitting or standing imbalance, a rib hump, back pain, sciatica, or numbness in the legs. Scoliosis can be further divided into 3 sub-categories:
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Infantile Scoliosis
This type of spine deformity is often associated with congenital defects or neurodegenerative disorders and occurs in children less than 3 years old.
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Juvenile Scoliosis
Deformities in children between 3 to 10 years fall into this category. Surgery is not usually performed and bracing is recommended in this age group.
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Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
This is a commonly reported type of scoliosis among the 10 to 17-year-old age group. There are no known causes and the symptoms vary depending upon the severity. The pain occurs mainly in the thoracic spine, below the neck or the lower back.
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Adult Degenerative Scoliosis
This type occurs when an adult is suffering from degenerative arthritis. This worsens with age and causes severe pain.
Kyphosis
When the spine bends forward and is unable to carry the body weight effectively is known as Kyphosis. Weak bones are a common cause of this deformity in older people. If this is diagnosed in infants or children then the main cause of this deformity could be malformation of the spine. Poor posture, injury, or fracture due to osteoporosis, or arthritis can also cause kyphosis.
Lordosis
In this deformity, the lower back of the spine has a deep curve that pushes out the abdomen. The causes could be genetics, bad posture, injury or illness.
Treatment Options for Spinal Deformities
Thorough evaluation of the medical reports that involve the risks in the surgery, curvature, severity, patient’s age and lifestyle, etc determines the best course of treatment. The following are the common treatments offered for spinal deformities:
Bracing
This is done in very young patients with the objective to encourage the straight growth of the spine. When the patient is a young adult it might not be recommended as it will only offer some relief and not correct the deformity.
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy can offer relief in mild cases of deformity. It can improve flexibility and strength and may also correct certain motions, and postures. You may be advised to perform certain exercises regularly to manage the condition and prevent it from worsening.
Surgical Correction
The last resort to restore functions and mobility is surgical correction. There are two types of surgeries that are performed in cases of spinal deformity:
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Posterior Fusion
Medical-grade metal rods are inserted in the vertebra to keep the spine straight and in place. This helps in keeping the spine in its normal orientation, offers relief from pain and restores mobility.
Anterior spinal fusions: This is another corrective procedure done through the abdomen as assessing the spine from the front causes less damage to the surrounding spine muscles. This procedure is done in highly severe cases.
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Pain Management Injections
Injections can offer temporary relief from mild nerve compression or joint arthritis. The frequency of injections and the dosage depends on the type of symptoms and severity.
Consult our spine doctor in Gurgaon if you require treatment and care for spinal deformities.
Spinal surgeries may involve certain risks, which increase in cases of comorbidities, hence the decision to go for spine surgery is taken after thorough analysis of the medical reports. At Manipal Hospitals, we have the best spine surgeons in Gurugram who have successfully performed multiple spine surgeries in the past. Connect with our spine surgeons and experienced orthopaedic doctors in Gurgaon to know whether spine surgery is for you or not. We have a well-equipped facility featuring two dedicated departments for spine care and orthopaedics with high-end machines to perform numerous diagnostic and curative procedures.
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