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What is scoliosis
Scoliosis is a disease in which the spine bends and curves sideways. It is often thought that the spine is bent by poor posture or carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder for a long time, but this type of scoliosis is called functional scoliosis and can be corrected by correcting the cause such as correcting the posture.
Scoliosis which has a problem with the structure of the spine itself is called structural scoliosis.
Unlike functional scoliosis, there are not a few cases where the curvature is worsen. If left untreated, the curvature of the spine can become severe and cardiopulmonary function can deteriorate. In severe cases, life expectancy may be shortened, so early diagnosis and professional counseling and treatment are extremely important than anything else.
Preoperative scoliosis with 50 degrees of thoracic curvature and 72 degrees of lumbar curvature showed hypokyphosis of the thoracolumbar region.
The picture was taken 2 years after surgery, and it was corrected to a close-to-normal shape from the anterior, posterior, and lateral views. In King Type I, the fixed range of the lumbar spine is of interest.
In most cases where no cause is found, we diagnose idiopathic scoliosis, and most (80-85%) of scoliosis belongs to this category.
As most cases of scoliosis are painless, detection may be delayed.
Scoliosis is a disease in which the spine curves sideways, but at the same time, it is accompanied by rotational deformation of the spine relative to the head and pelvis.
If the scoliosis is severe, it is difficult to bend the waist well, and the flexibility of the spine is decreased.
If scoliosis progresses from childhood, it can cause the abnormal development of the thorax, which can affect lung and heart functions.
Congenital scoliosis is often accompanied by deformities in other organs of the body. Commonly, urinary abnormalities (20-40%), cardiac deformities (10-20%), and spinal nerve abnormalities (10-40%) may be present. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out detailed examinations such as MRI, ultrasonography, and renal examination for these accompanying deformities.
Why does scoliosis occur?
In the case of scoliosis with a mild curvature of the spine, it does not interfere with daily life, exercise, and social activities. In the case of idiopathic scoliosis, which is rarely common among scoliosis, there are not many cases that require active treatment. However, when scoliosis is founded, it is most important to properly select the direction of future treatment through an accurate diagnosis and identification of the current condition.
In the case of patients in the growth phase (middle and high school students), the curvature of the spine may increase as they grow. If the angle exceeds 20 degrees, there is a high possibility of deterioration, so regular treatment observation is required.
As far as it has been revealed, it has been known that when scoliosis becomes severe, the heart and lungs are compressed by the curved spine, resulting in decreased function and eventually increased mortality.
What should I do if scoliosis is found?
Usually, the type of scoliosis and the degree of skeletal maturation can be known by examination and general X-ray photography.
Treatment with braces is usually required between 20 degrees and 40 degrees, and surgical treatment is carefully considered for scoliosis of more than 40 degrees.
About the Brace (Orthosis)
Types of Brace (Orthosis)
The brace can be divided into three main types depending on its shape.
First, Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO).
Second, Cervicothoracolumbosacral Orthosis (TLSo, known as Milwaukee Brace)
Third, Dynamic Corrective Brace (DCB) is a representative brace.
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