Shoulder pain and instability normally presents with pain or irritation around the shoulder joint with…
Types of Scoliosis
Types of Scoliosis
Scoliosis diagnosis
Types of scoliosis is usually diagnosed when symptoms develop. Radiologists use diagnostic tests such as, X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Computed Tomography to confirm the diagnosis. So they measure the Cobb-angle of your spine, which indicates the severity of scoliosis. And, if the degree of the sideways curvature exceeds 10 degrees (Cobb-angle), it is diagnosed as scoliosis.
Severity according to the Cobb angle diagnosis:
Light: 10 to 20 – 25°
Moderate: 25 to 40 – 45°
Severe: greater than 40 – 45°
The different types of scoliosis
Early onset scoliosis
- Present prior to the age of 10
- Because they are still growing, it can affect more than just the spine
- It can cause the ribs to be malformed, which may affect lung development
- Minimal outward signs of spinal problems in the case of mild severity
- Importance of treatment is crucial
- No treatment may lead to heart and lung problems
- Symptoms & signs may include:
- Tilted head
- Uneven shoulders
- Asymmetric waistline
- Uneven hips
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Most common form of scoliosis, diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 18
- No single cause has been identified
- Spinal curvature may continue to progress into adulthood
- Possible causes include hormonal imbalances or asymmetric growth
- 30% of diagnosed adolescents have a family history of scoliosis
- Most patients don’t experience pain or neurological abnormalities
- May appear normal in side view
- Symptoms may include:
- Uneven shoulders
- Protruded rib on one side
- Leaning torso
- Lower back pain may be experienced at times
Congenital
- Fairly rare
- Spinal abnormalities that develop in the womb
- A spinal defect will be present at birth
- Possibilities of additional curves in the opposite direction
- Detected at an earlier age than other condition or diseases
- Symptoms may include:
- Tilted shoulders
- Uneven waistline
- Protruded rib on one side
- Tilted head
- Body leaning to one side
Degenerative Scoliosis (De Novo Scoliosis)
- Also referred to as adult onset scoliosis or late onset scoliosis
- People over the age of 60 has a 60% chance of having degenerative scoliosis
- No prior history of scoliosis
- Sideways curvature of the spine that develops slowly over time
- Age-related degeneration of the spine
- Spinal curvature to become more pronounced on one side
- Commonly develops in the lumbar spine (lower back)
- Normally a C-shape curvature
- Symptoms may include:
- Mostly associated with some sort of pain, especially in the lower back
- Might include a dull ache or stiffness in the lower back
- A burning / tingling / numbing or radiating pain that is felt down the legs
- Sharp pain in the leg that is felt during walking but goes away during rest
- Decrease in balance abilities
- Muscle fatigue
- Poor posture
Neuromuscular scoliosis
- Type of idiopathic scoliosis
- Develops secondary to various disorders of the brain, spinal cord and muscular system (i.e. cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, myelodysplasia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy)
- Spinal curvature occurs when the disease affects the nerves and muscles. Which then are unable to maintain the proper alignment and balance of the spine and body
- May progress into adulthood
- Progression of scoliosis is more rapid than other forms of scoliosis
- People in wheelchairs who struggle to sit upright may develop neuromuscular scoliosis
- Symptoms may include:
- Normally not painful
- Pain if the spinal curvature is very severe
- First sign of neuromuscular scoliosis is a change in posture
- Leaning forward or to one side while standing or sitting
Scheuermann’s Kyphosis
- A type of kyphosis (rounding or abnormal curve in the upper back)
- Normally diagnosed during adolescence
- Secondary to another structural deformity in the vertebrae
- Symptoms may include:
- Muscle fatigue
- Poor posture
- Back pain
- Stiffness
- Normally the symptoms do not get worse over time, except in severe cases
Click here to read about conservative treatment
What structures are affected in all the types of scoliosis?
The back is made up of many different structures i.e. muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, discs, joints, and vertebrae. Together there is 33 vertebrae which forms the spinal column. The spinal column is divided into 5 sections: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral and Coccygeal. Your spine is the primary bony structure that is affected by scoliosis, however not the only structure. Muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia in the back attach to the spinal column and as the vertebrae change in shape and direction, these other structures change with them.
What do the structures do?
The spinal column has a few important functions: Firstly, it protects the spinal cord on the inside of the spinal column. It also serves as a place of attachment for soft tissues structures such as muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. And the soft tissues provide stability for the spine during static and dynamic movements such as sitting or walking. It allows movement to occur in an efficient manner. Also, the lumbar spine provides stability and mobility for the upper body. So it helps to transmit the forces between the upper & lower parts of the body. In essence, the spine connects the upper body and lower body and allows for efficient movement to occur.
What happens to these structures when you have scoliosis?
In scoliosis, which is an abnormal spine curvature, has many different causes. The types of scoliosis are many types of scoliosis but each one causes an abnormal loading within the spine. Because of the progressive overload, there is a decrease in the spine’s ability to maintain stability. And your spine then continues to grow in an asymmetrical manner, leading to the worsening of the spinal curves.
The vertebral bones experience more pressure on the one side. The tendons and ligaments shorten on the one side of the spinal column and it lengths on the other side of the spinal column. Which means these structures (muscles, ligaments, tendons) around the vertebral column cannot maintain their physiological alignment.
When these structures cannot maintain their alignment they cannot perform their original function. And stability and mobility in the spine is not optimal. Additionally, the forces you expose your back to is not properly transmitted between the upper and lower parts of the body. As a result, your body is not able to move as efficiently as it is supposed to and it limits you during normal and sport related movements.
Related Posts
