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Scoliosis is a medical condition wherein the patient has an abnormal sideways curve in the spine. The back does not appear straight and can cause difficulty in performing day-to-day activities. The complications involved in scoliosis could be uneven shoulders, one hip higher than the other, one shoulder blade higher than the other, asymmetry of the chest, slight drift in the position of the head from the centre, or a visible curve. Both neurosurgeons and ortho surgeons diagnose the condition, gauge the complications involved and then draft a personalised treatment plan. At Manipal Hospitals, we have highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons and top neurosurgeons in Patiala who can offer the right treatment to scoliosis patients.
Through this article let’s find out more about scoliosis, its types, symptoms and treatment methods.
Symptoms of Scoliosis and its Diagnosis
Scoliosis is characterised by a curve that ranges from 10 to 20 degrees for mild scoliosis, 20 to 50 degrees for moderate scoliosis, and more than 50 degrees for severe scoliosis. The symptoms that you must treat as red flags and consult the neuro and ortho surgeons are:
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Tilted shoulders
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Back pain
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Uneven buttocks and waistline
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Rotation of spine
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Reduced chest area
Scoliosis is confirmed by the doctor after certain tests which include:
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Physical examination
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X-Ray
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MRI Scan
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CT Scan
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Bone Scan
Types of Scoliosis
Based on severity, location of the curve and other medical parameters, scoliosis is categorised into structural and non-structural disorders. Non-structural scoliosis, sometimes referred to as functional scoliosis, is a two-dimensional disorder. The vertebrae do not twist or contort in such a way that they go out of alignment, which means that the spine only bends to one side. Muscle spasms and inflammation are some common causes of non-structural scoliosis. On the other hand, structural scoliosis is a three-dimensional condition that is further categorised into the following:
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Idiopathic Scoliosis
This type of scoliosis is very common as approximately 8 out of 10 occurrences of scoliosis are caused by idiopathic causes. Although it can begin earlier, in childhood or even infancy, this kind of scoliosis commonly manifests throughout adolescence. Researches suggest that genetics may have a role, but there may be more elements at play that are now being investigated.
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Neuromuscular Scoliosis
Sometimes people who are unable to walk due to a neuromuscular disorder like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy develop neuromuscular scoliosis. Myopathic scoliosis is another name for this kind of curve.
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Congenital Scoliosis
Congenital scoliosis appears in infancy and develops in utero. It is an uncommon disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 people and can be brought on by vertebral abnormalities or other factors. Surgery is typically required to straighten the spinal curvature.
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Degenerative Scoliosis
The discs and joints in the spine experience wear and strain with age, which leads to degenerative scoliosis. Adults who develop this form of scoliosis typically have it in the lumbar (lower) spine.
Risks involved in Spine Surgery to Treat Scoliosis
Today's scoliosis operations are safer and have better results. Any operation near the spinal cord carries certain dangers, though. The following are potential dangers and adverse effects:
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excessive bleeding
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pancreatic infection
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abdominal block
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neurologic issues
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the spine doesn't fuse
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degenerative disc disease
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back discomfort
Scoliosis Treatment
The treatment option is determined after thorough analyses of various factors such as the age of the patient, the extent of curvature, the location of the curve, and the type of scoliosis. The evaluation of reports and spine scans also helps the doctor determine the approach towards the treatment: open surgery and invasive methods.
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Bracing
The treatment is often given to the kids. Bracing is the preferred therapy when the curvature ranges from 25 to 45 degrees and the kid is still developing. While it does not correct the curvature, it does stop it from worsening and postpone surgery. There are several kinds of braces. The majority of them are adjusted for the youngster.
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Surgery to Treat Scoliosis
If the curve upon discovery is more severe (> 40), surgery is used to address scoliosis. A balanced spine with the patient's head, shoulders, and trunk positioned directly above the pelvis is the goal of surgical correction. To do this, the instrumentation is used to lessen the severity of the deformity and fusion is obtained to stop further curve advancement. When fusion is performed on individuals with immature skeletons, crank shafting and flat back syndromes develop, which results in more severe deformity. The placement of staples on the convex side of the curve to correct and maintain the curvature until the patient is skeletally mature is a relatively recent technique in the treatment of such individuals.
Scoliosis Surgery Price in India
You can get optimum care and treatment for Scoliosis spine in India at affordable prices. Multiple media reports have stated that the cost of scoliosis spine surgery in India is approximately 60 to 80% less than abroad. Manipal Hospital is one of the leading healthcare providers that offer affordable treatment to all. The spinal fusion treatment for scoliosis has good success rate and the state-of-the-art technology at Manipal Hospitals enables the surgeons to perform complex procedures at most of its facilities across the country.
Recovery after the surgery at the brain hospital in Patiala involves is another phase where you need medical and expert intervention. A patient cannot move to his/her daily activities immediately after the surgery. Dietary supplements, physiotherapy, medications and light exercises will be advised by the doctor depending on your case and gradually the patient can resume the activities. Book an appointment with our best orthopaedic surgeon in Patiala to know more about the disease or treatment options. You may also bookmark our blog page to read interesting and reliable medical content on various topics. Contact us now to know more about scoliosis operation costs.
