Is scoliosis inherited? What we treat is curvature of the spine

Congenital.
Dysplastic (improper development of tissues, organs or body parts) and arising from a genetic predisposition.
Neurogenic scoliosis:
- after poliomyelitis (poliomyelitis is infantile spinal paralysis, an acute, highly contagious (lat. contagiosus contagious, contagious; synonymous with contagiousness) infectious disease caused by damage to the gray matter of the spinal cord by poliovirus and characterized mainly by pathology of the nervous system);
- after minenencephalitis (inflammation of the membranes and substance of the brain) or cerebral palsy (a collective term that unites a group of chronic non-progressive symptom complexes of motor disorders);
- pain neuroreflex.
Dystrophic and metabolically disturbed hormonal scoliosis.
Idiopathic scoliosis.
Scoliosis arising from various causes: after injury, rickets, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal tumors, etc.

Congenital scoliosis

Congenital scoliosis occurs in 2-3% of children, which are caused by gross anomalies in the development of the spine.

The cause of scoliotic deformity is an abnormality of the vertebrae.

The most common defects in the development of vertebral bodies are:

Wedge-shaped and trapezoid vertebrae.
Hemivertebrae with accessory ribs.
Unilateral fusion of bodies, arches or transverse processes.
Synostosis (a type of continuous connection of bones through bone tissue) of the ribs.
Multiple developmental anomalies are common, for example, irregular shape of the vertebrae and simultaneous fusion of the ribs.

Congenital scoliosis of the spine is formed in utero and is often combined with other deformities: clubfoot, syndactyly (congenital defect, genetic hereditary disease, manifested in complete or incomplete fusion of the fingers/toes as a result of their failure to separate during embryonic development) and polydactyly, torticollis, funnel-shaped chest deformation.

The progression of the deformity depends not so much on age, but on the nature and severity of the deformation of the spine and spinal cord. In most children, the disease progresses slowly, without forming a large scoliotic curve or spinal torsion.

Dysplastic scoliosis

This group makes up 65–70% of all patients with scoliotic disease and, according to the clinical course, this is the most severe form of the disease.

Causes

Spondylodysplasia (non-fusion of the vertebral arches, lumbolization or sacralization, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis), which is most often localized in the lumbosacral region of the spine.
Myelodysplasia (congenital underdevelopment of the spinal cord).
Syringomyelia (a chronic progressive disease of the nervous system in which cavities form in the spinal cord).
Myopathy (chronic progressive hereditary neuromuscular diseases characterized by primary muscle damage),
Poor posture.

Symptoms

Hypotonia (low muscle tone) of the muscles of the limbs.
Loose joints.
Flat feet.
Vegetative-vascular disorders, manifested by acrocyanosis (bluish coloration of the skin associated with insufficient blood supply to small capillaries), hyperhidrosis (increased sweating) and other disorders.
All symptoms of the nervous system can appear in family members and relatives of patients with dysplastic scoliosis, which indicates an innate predisposition to the development of scoliotic disease.

Characteristics

Rapidly progressive course.
Development of large scoliotic arches with sharp torsion (rotation of the vertebrae around a vertical axis) of the vertebral bodies and the formation of a costal hump.
Deformation of the chest reduces the vital capacity of the lungs, as a result of which external respiration is impaired and hypoxia develops.

Neurogenic scoliosis

Most often they are a consequence of polio or cerebral palsy. This group also includes scoliosis of a functional nature - painful or neuroreflex.

Cause of occurrence: as a result of muscle imbalance and changes in static load.

Characteristic feature: the formation of a total unilateral curvature of the spine without the formation of compensatory arches. Scoliosis rarely develops due to cerebral palsy, and they are characterized by the absence of rapid progression.

In tumor processes, scoliotic deformity is formed due to reflex muscle tension. The spine, in this case, is rigidly fixed. The mobility of the spine is severely limited or completely absent.

Dystrophic and metabolic-hormonal scoliosis

Causes of the disease:

Previous osteochondropathy of the apophyses of the vertebral bodies, for example, Scheuermann-Mau disease (progressive development of spinal kyphosis during the period of intensive growth of the child). As a rule, scoliosis does not progress and does not cause disfigurement of the chest.
Marfan syndrome is a congenital systemic disease, which is based on a violation of metabolic processes in connective tissue, reducing its strength.

Characteristic feature (Marfan syndrome):

Weakness of the muscular system.
Looseness in the joints.
Hypotension.
Flat valgus feet.
Deformation of the chest and spine.
Arachnodactyly (spider-like elongation with flexion of the interphalangeal joints of the fingers and toes).
Metabolic disorders in the connective tissue of the spine in Marfan syndrome are combined with pathological disorders in the nervous system.

Idiopathic scoliosis

The group of patients with idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis of the spine from unknown causes) accounts for 15-20%. For the occurrence and progression of scoliosis, a combination of three factors is necessary:

Primary pathological factor (for example, dysplastic changes in the spinal cord, vertebrae, intervertebral discs), which can also be acquired.
General pathological background of the body (metabolic or hormonal disorders).
Static - dynamic violations.

During the formation and development of spinal scoliosis, the progression of the deformity depends on age and physiological “jumps” in skeletal growth. With asymmetrical growth of the vertebrae, the ligaments and muscles on the concave side of scoliosis are shortened, and the convex side is stretched.

Classification of idiopathic scoliosis:

Based on the nature of the spinal deformation, scoliosis is classified into C-shaped, S-shaped and total scoliosis.

C-shaped scoliosis has one arc of curvature. Possible after spinal injury, tuberculous spondylitis, manifestation of scoliotic disease.
S-shaped scoliosis has two arcs directed in opposite directions. Most often, uncompensated scoliosis is observed, where the primary curve significantly exceeds the secondary one in terms of the degree of curvature. Characterized by rapid progression of the disease. Compensated S-shaped scoliosis is less common. In these cases, both curvatures (lumbar and thoracic) appear simultaneously, are equal in degree of curvature, and both are primary. Characterized by slow progression of the disease.
Total scoliosis - almost all thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are involved in the curvature, forming one gentle arc. The flat form of the deformity is a consequence of the lack of compression capabilities of the body to form the opposite curvature. Total scoliosis progresses quickly and is very difficult to stabilize. Causes gross disfigurement of the human figure and severe respiratory dysfunction.

According to the type of scoliosis, they are distinguished:

cervical;
thoracic (at the level of VII - X thoracic vertebrae);
lumbar (at the level from the XII thoracic to the III lumbar vertebra);
thoraco-lumbar (at the level of the X-XII thoracic vertebrae).

Degree of vertebral deformation in scoliosis

Scoliosis I degree. In grade I scoliosis, the curvature of the spine is hardly noticeable. Upon examination, you can identify secondary signs:

asymmetry of the shoulder girdles and shoulder blades with thoracic scoliosis and the lumbar triangle with lumbar scoliosis;
palpation can determine the deviation of the spinous processes from the midline;
When examining a patient, weakness of the long back muscles, oblique and rectus abdominis muscles can be detected. The pelvis is positioned horizontally;
The angle of the scoliotic arc is 10-15.

The main complaints, as a rule, in the early stages are made only in the presence of poor posture. There are no disorders of the internal organs caused by scoliotic deformity.

Scoliosis II degree. In case of second degree scoliosis, the leading symptoms are clearly visible signs of deformation of the spine and chest:

asymmetry of the shoulder girdles and waist triangles, which become visible even through clothing;
rib hump. It becomes visible when the torso is tilted forward;
muscle roll in the lumbar region;
upon palpation of the spinous processes, a C- or S-shaped deformity is clearly identified;
with lumbar localization of the deformity, pronounced torsion and tilt of the pelvis to the side occurs;
curvature angle - 10 - 30०.

Scoliosis III degree. With scoliosis of the third degree, the deformation of the spine and chest takes on distinct forms with a violation of the configuration of the torso and a distortion of the pelvis.

Signs and consequences:

the costal hump becomes visible even in an upright position of the body;
the plane of the shoulder girdles does not coincide with the plane of the pelvis;
the body deviates from the vertical axis;
gross anatomical changes occurring in the vertebral bodies and ribs lead to pathological changes in the vascular network of the spine;
deformation of the spinal canal leads to displacement of the spinal cord. The venous plexus is compressed by the dura mater;
Cardiovascular failure develops: tachycardia, palpitations, increased breathing at the slightest exertion;
scoliotic arc - 30-60०.

4. Scoliosis IV degree. With IV degree scoliosis, severe deformation of the entire body is determined. Its growth stops.

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Hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis

We can speak with confidence about a hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis only in the case of osteochondrosis. arising against the background of congenital inadequately treated scoliosis. According to various sources, in approximately 30% of cases, scoliosis is inherited. This happens especially often in isolated settlements, among small nations, etc. Most often, scoliosis is transmitted through the female line.

Such hereditary curvature of the spine, as a rule, does not lead to disability or gross deformities, but over the years it is precisely this disease that becomes the cause of severe back pain and limited ability to work, because it is against this background that post-scoliotic osteochondrosis develops. Discogenic scoliosis develops due to dysplastic syndrome. Metabolic disorders in connective tissue lead to changes in the structure of the spine, as a result of which the connection of the intervertebral disc with the vertebral bodies at the apex of future curvature and displacement of the disc is weakened.

Together with them, the nucleus pulposus shifts, which is now located not in the center, as usual, but closer to the convex side of the curvature. Increased mobility of the spine leads to reactive changes in the adjacent vertebral bodies, the shock-absorbing abilities of the intervertebral discs are impaired and, against the background of mechanical loads, degenerative-dystrophic changes occur in them.

Early diagnosis and treatment of postural disorders will help prevent the development of this complication. There are also other congenital anomalies of the spine. Most malformations of the spine are not life-threatening anomalies, however, having a negative impact on its formation and growth, they very often lead to severe deformations of the axial skeleton, dysfunction of not only the entire musculoskeletal system, but also internal organs. Kyphosis and scoliosis, which are based on vertebral defects, progress rapidly and are often complicated by neurological disorders.

Unfortunately, there are no reliable statistics on the frequency of inheritance of vertebral developmental anomalies, but they all cause a hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis. especially occurring at a young age.

The main types of defects are disturbances in the formation of vertebrae, disturbances in the fusion of paired anlages, and disturbances in segmentation. Despite the hereditary predisposition to osteochondrosis with these anomalies.

Timely diagnosis and treatment significantly improves the prognosis.

innessa. I am very concerned about the issue of inheritance of scoliosis. I’m worried about the children. Therefore, it would be interesting to know who has relatives with scoliosis and how often it is inherited. For example, my sister and I, my parents and grandmothers, have scoliosis.

Julianna. innessa I think it conveys exactly! Ask other relatives on both sides, otherwise it’s somehow unclear where you and your sister got it from. Is your sister’s also pronounced or minimal? I’ll write about myself, even though I’ve already talked about it. I have scoliosis on my paternal side from my grandmother and aunt; I just don’t know any earlier relatives. I have a brother without scoliosis. I have two children - a son without scoliosis and a daughter with scoliosis.

anna67. innessa I think that it is inherited. Since I had such a question and had to turn to a geneticist, take a bunch of tests, but since in our city you can count on the fingers of such doctors, then, accordingly, they didn’t really help me, they threw up their hands and are happy to try, maybe it’s heredity, maybe not. It seems to me that you don’t need to get hung up on this, but you just need to keep an eye on your children, a good prevention against scoliosis is a swimming pool, and believe in the GOOD.

Julianna. anna67 Are you sure about the pool? Did you swim as a child?

anna67. Julianna no, my parents worked constantly and no one dealt with scoliosis, and there was such a time that children’s doctors didn’t really take care of the spine, they didn’t even look at it (I had skin cancer on my back) and not a single doctor said and what is this sticking out here? until my uncle the surgeon saw and froze. The pool is very useful for all muscles, it just strengthens the muscles of the spine and back

Julianna. anna67 How strong you are, write such terrible things openly. Apparently, you’ve dealt with it TTTTTTTTT. That means you’ll figure out our common problem, and you’ll know everything for the future!

anna67. Julianna, I wouldn’t say that I’m strong, that’s what NIITO Reasons write. The origin of this disease is still unknown. Currently, vertebrologists (specialists in spine diseases) around the world believe that breakdowns of the nervous and endocrine systems play a role in the development of the disease. The hereditary nature of the disease cannot be ruled out.

Alien. My parents and grandparents do not have scoliosis. but my second cousin has a rather large one, she studied at a boarding school for scoliosis sufferers. I don’t have idiopathic scoliosis, it’s true, but due to a congenital wedge-shaped vertebra. but as I understand it, there is only one reason - bone dysplasia. I may have expressed myself very illiterately, please correct me if I do. I believe that this is what is passed on by inheritance. even after several generations it can manifest itself. like mine.

anna67. Alien writes: there is only one reason - bone tissue dysplasia. I may have expressed myself very illiterately, please correct me if I do. I believe that this is what is passed on by inheritance. even after several generations it can manifest itself. I completely agree with you

Alien. I'm sorry, not bone but connective, but bone probably too, I'm ignorant

Bagheera. My mother also had scoliosis, although not as severe. About 2 degrees, and her cousin had it too.

Gala. Alien writes: not bone, but connective. Let me clarify a little, connective tissue is the tissue of a living organism that is not directly responsible for the work of any organ or organ system, but plays an auxiliary role in all organs, making up 60-90% of their mass. Performs supporting, protective and trophic functions. Connective tissue forms the supporting framework (stroma) and the outer covering (dermis) of all organs. The common properties of all connective tissues are their origin, support functions and structural similarity. Most of the hard connective tissue is fibrous (from the Latin fibra - fiber): it consists of collagen and elastin fibers. Connective tissue includes bone, cartilage, fat and others. Connective tissue also includes blood and lymph. Therefore, connective tissue is the only tissue that is present in the body in 4 types - fibrous (ligaments), solid (bones), gel-like (cartilage) and liquid (blood, lymph, as well as intercellular, spinal and synovial and other fluids). Fascia. ligaments, tendons, bones, cartilage, joint, joint capsule, sarcolemma and perimysium of muscle fibers, synovial fluid, blood, lymph, vessels, capillaries, fat, intercellular fluid, extracellular matrix, sclera, iris, microglia and much more - this is all connective textile.

Alice. My mother also has scoliosis, although not severe. maybe first or second degree. So she will never admit that I have this because of heredity! She tells me on the contrary: you see, I did exercise therapy, massage, etc. as a child and nothing developed in me, but here you are. It's so annoying to always listen to this

Victoria. Alice, you really have no business here. Don’t be particularly angry with your mother, she was just trying to awaken incentives in you so that you would fight with all your might. I also tormented my child with these exercise therapy, massages, etc., 4 days a week and I also wanted her to try her best. But the result is the same - progression. I hope the corset will help us. At the Turner Institute in St. Petersburg, when they looked at my daughter, they also checked the flexibility of my joints. They said that I also have connective tissue dysplasia, because I have very loose joints. But neither I nor any of my family members have ever had scoliosis. This is for sure. It is interesting, it is possible to assume that the girl child inherited it from her father. Now I have no one to ask.

innessa. Yulianna How old are your children? At what age did your daughter’s scoliosis appear? My sister and I became aware of it around the age of 9-10. My sister has a lower degree than me, but also a decent degree:(

innessa. Mothers of children with scoliosis, tell me how it begins to manifest itself and at what age, so as not to miss it, I’m very afraid of missing my daughter

Fairy tale. My daughter is hereditary, I think. From her father. I didn't even know about it. Then it turned out that her aunt and paternal grandmother had decent scolisis. Some of them even had surgery. Innessa, at the age of 9, probably look carefully. although if there is heredity, then you probably need to observe from the very beginning. and take some measures. If I had known, I probably would have put him in the pool from the age of 5. Although they already write here that the pool can be harmful. My daughter has been dancing intensively since she was 7 years old. and from 11, when the scoliosis was already progressing with might and main, I sent her to the pool. she swam there like a dolphin. but the result was exactly zero. Does anyone know what measures can be taken to prevent scoliosis in a child with possible hereditary scoliosis?

Gala. I think just watch for yourself, incl. in a tilt, =+ still KOT (KomOT). so from 3-5 years old, if there is an irritation - immediately take a picture, if there is the slightest change in the picture - on the SROT control, then Cheneau quality, nothing else has been invented yet (((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ((((((((

Alien. Gala thanks for the clarification

Crackling. None of my relatives (mother, father, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-grandfathers) have scoliosis. Maybe somewhere in more distant generations - but who knows. But I am also inclined to believe that scoliosis can be inherited. The main thing is to closely monitor the child and start taking measures in time. Fortunately, we now know the necessary treatment.

flower. My dad has scoliosis, but it’s minor. and his parents attributed this to the fact that he played the guitar as a teenager and, accordingly, it hung with a load on one side. but he had grade 1 or 2 and did not progress, although he did nothing, no exercise therapy, swimming or massage. But I got it at the age of 12 and didn’t progress. I have a non-progressive one. and the rest of the relatives, neither mom nor dad. My little brother recently also developed a 1st or 2nd degree curvature. and our older brother has nothing. It seems to me that even if it is transmitted, it is not to all children, but maybe to those who have a predisposition, for example, they sit incorrectly all the time or something else. or maybe it is not inherited. Doctors say that it is not inherited.

Can scoliosis be inherited?

Hello, I want to ask: is scoliosis inherited? I found information on the Internet that there are theories that spinal column deformity is inherited from father to daughter and from mother to son. Is it true? My daughter is growing up. I don't want her to inherit my crooked back.

Most domestic doctors have no doubt about the genetic cause of spinal deformities. In practice, we have seen that scoliosis often manifests itself in members of the same family over several generations.

It may be caused by muscle weakness, impaired functioning of enzymes responsible for the production of cartilage tissue, and pathology of micronutrient metabolism (calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3).

The primary sign of possible problems with the spine in the future in a child is damage to the dental tissue. Its strength depends on the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.

There are also scientific studies on this topic. They were carried out in America by medical doctors. Schools at the University of Saint-Louis. They discovered that a mutation in the CHD7 gene leads to a curvature of the spinal column, which experts classify as “idiopathic.”

This form of the disease affects adolescents and children from a very early age until puberty. Due to a gene defect, the synthesis of the protein responsible for the formation of cartilage and bone tissue is disrupted.

If a congenital mutation of the CHD7 gene is detected in the early stages, serious complications and even the death of the child can be prevented. True, genetic karyotyping of this locus has not yet been carried out in our country, but let’s hope that the study will appear in the near future.

Regarding transmission from father to daughter and from mother to son, no scientific data have been accumulated on this issue. Judgments about this are based only on identifying indirect signs of the presence of lateral spinal deformity in family members of different sexes.

Medicine is based only on scientifically proven information, and therefore cannot take into account the slightly increased incidence of scoliosis in members of the same family. After all, when working with patients, there can be no empirical treatment based on guesswork.

Agree, in this case there is a possibility that people eat poor-quality food or are exposed to the negative effects of physical factors (for example, electromagnetic radiation). If in this case we assume that their spinal deformity is hereditary, we can do a lot of harm if we choose the wrong treatment tactics.

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Scoliosis and heredity.

Message 17691246. Reply to message 17689897

I don’t know about heredity, maybe not in the literal sense. A particularly dangerous time is when the child grows up sharply, and the muscles do not have time to grow, and, as a result, do not support the back. Personally, like my mother, I “stretched out” over the course of a year, and as a result I have severe scoliosis (by the way, my mother does not have such problems). So everything is individual, it all depends on the condition of the muscles. <BR>For prevention - strengthen the back muscles. Swimming and horse riding are especially good. And watch your child’s posture. I was diagnosed late, at the age of 17, but nevertheless managed to improve a little. Scoliosis in a teenager whose skeleton has not yet formed can be cured. The main thing is not to launch.<BR>Good luck!

Message 17732329. Reply to message 17689897

Yes, sure! But of course it is important what the initial cause of scoliosis is. For example, I have scoliosis due to the fact that my right leg is slightly shorter than my left (it’s not visually visible, but when the trousers are hemmed, the right leg is made 1.5 cm shorter). They tried to find out the cause of my daughter’s scoliosis using x-rays, but it turned out that her right leg was also shorter, by 4mm so far.

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A crooked spine is inherited

A mother who underwent major surgery to straighten her S-shaped spine is now forced to watch her 13-year-old daughter go through the same thing.

We know that not only regular facial features and thick hair are inherited, but also some diseases, such as hypertension or obesity. But it turns out that a curved spine can also be one of them. Suffering from severe scoliosis, the Englishwoman Jennet Ingham once, as a child, underwent a complex operation that solved the problem.

20 years later, her daughter Jessica developed the same scoliosis. If left untreated, the disease can lead to severe disability, organ damage, and in some cases, death. Meanwhile, surgery to straighten the spine is considered one of the most dangerous in surgery.

In 1992, Jennette's doctors told her that she had an 83% (!) risk of remaining paralyzed after treatment. Then they broke all her ribs and allowed them to knit back together in the correct position. A metal rod was installed in the spine. Doctors diagnosed Jessica with scoliosis last year, and now the girl has to wear a protective corset 21 hours a day. This is necessary in order to prepare for the operation.

Fortunately, postoperative risks today are much lower than they were 20 years ago. And yet Jennet is incredibly worried and curses genetics.

“When I found out that my daughter would have to go through the same hell that I faced, I felt bad,” says my mother. “I had no idea that scoliosis could be hereditary, but then I found information on the Internet confirming this. Now and our youngest daughter, who is 8 years old, will be constantly monitored by doctors. If I could take Jessica's place, I would do it without any doubt."

Synonyms for the disease: lateral curvature of the spine, kyphoscoliosis, spinal deformity, hump, hunchback.

Introduction

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. If your child has scoliosis, a view of the spine from behind may reveal one or more abnormal curves.

Scoliosis is a hereditary disease, but doctors often do not know the cause of its occurrence. Girls are more likely to suffer from severe scoliosis than boys. In adults, scoliosis that began in childhood but was not diagnosed or treated may worsen over time. In other cases, scoliosis can occur in adults due to degenerative disease of the joints of the spine.

Fortunately, often with scoliosis the condition does not worsen, and all that is necessary for the child is periodic medical examinations. Children who have a severe curve that gets progressively larger may require a brace, surgery, or both.

Symptoms

The spine is a graceful structure, from the outside it resembles an elongated letter “S”, with the upper back sloping outward and the lower back slightly curved inward. Although when viewed from behind, the spine will look like a straight line from the base of the neck to the tailbone. Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine.

External signs and symptoms of scoliosis include:

uneven position of the shoulders;
bulging angle of one shoulder blade;
waist asymmetry;
asymmetry of the skin folds of the body;
pelvic distortion;
tilt to one side.

If the curvature of scoliosis worsens, the spine also begins to twist or bend, in addition to the sideways curvature. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to bulge outward, forming a rib hump. On the other side, a deep depression is formed, which together deforms the body. Severe scoliosis can cause back pain and difficulty breathing.

Causes

Doctors don't know what causes the most common type of scoliosis. If the cause is not identified, scoliosis is called idiopathic.

Sometimes scoliosis can be caused by an underlying disorder affecting the neuromuscular system, a leg length difference, or a birth defect. Scoliosis can also occur during fetal development. Congenital scoliosis is a type of birth defect that affects the development of the vertebrae; it can develop simultaneously with other congenital diseases, such as kidney pathology.

Scoliosis is a hereditary disease, but genetic (inherited) factors that have not yet been identified play a role in heredity. Doctors also believe that pathology of the spinal cord and brain stem plays a role in some cases of scoliosis. Incorrect posture, diet, exercise, or carrying bags, briefcases, and backpacks are not causes of scoliosis.

Risk factors

The cause of many cases of scoliosis is unclear (idiopathic). Scoliosis is often first noticed during adolescence, a period of rapid growth. Body growth often causes an existing curvature to worsen.

In addition to height, risk factors likely to worsen the curve include:

Floor. The curvature in girls is often more severe than in boys.
Age. The younger the child is when scoliosis appears, the higher the likelihood of subsequent worsening of the curvature.
Degree of curvature. The larger the size of the curvature, the higher the likelihood of subsequent worsening of the curvature.
Location. A curve in the middle-lower spine is less likely to progress than a curve in the upper part.
Spinal diseases at birth. Children born with scoliosis (congenital scoliosis) are at greater risk of increasing their curvature.

When to see a doctor

The development of scoliosis usually appears gradually and is almost always painless. The curvature can develop in such a way that neither the parents nor the child notice it. It is important to identify the curvature as early as possible in order to begin treatment that can prevent the spinal deformity from worsening.

Unfortunately, scoliosis usually appears during the period when children begin to feel self-conscious about their bodies (10-15 years old), so sometimes parents and others may not see this problem. Make sure your child gets a physical exam if you notice any signs of scoliosis.

Although rare, scoliosis can lead to serious health problems, such as severe back pain, difficulty breathing, physical defects, and even injury to the lungs and heart. If there is a history of this disease in your family, your child should be examined by a doctor.

Tests and diagnosis

Your child's doctor can check for scoliosis during routine well-child exams. Many schools participate in programs that provide scoliosis screenings. If your child's school suspects scoliosis, visit a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

The doctor will take the child and family history and may take the following steps to make a diagnosis:

Physical examination. The doctor will examine your spine, as well as your shoulders, hips, legs, and ribs, looking for signs of scoliosis.
X-ray. The doctor may order an x-ray to confirm the diagnosis and determine the size of the spinal curvature. Subsequently, periodic X-ray examinations are performed to monitor the curvature and optimize treatment decisions.

Doctors characterize childhood scoliosis based on the shape and size of the curve, the location of the curve, and other factors:

Form. The curvature is transverse, in the shape of the letters “C” or “S”. The curvature of the spine disrupts the natural position of the ribs and muscles located next to the spine.
Location. The curvature may develop in the upper back, where the ribs are (thoracic), in the lower back (lumbar), or in both areas (thoracolumbar).
Direction. Scoliosis can curve the spine to the left or right.
Corner. Doctors measure the angle of the curvature on X-rays. A normal spine, without scoliosis, viewed from the back, has an angle of 0 degrees - this is a straight line. A very strong curvature, placing the spine in a horizontal position or parallel to the floor, has an angle of 90 degrees. Scoliosis is considered to be a curvature of the spine of more than 10 degrees. Most doctors can detect even the slightest curvature during a physical examination, but the size of the scoliosis is determined using x-rays. Your child's doctor can compare these values later to see if the curve has gotten worse.
Cause. About 85 percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.

Complications

Although most patients with scoliosis have a mild form of the disease, scoliosis can sometimes cause complications that include:

Lesions of the lungs and heart. In severe scoliosis, when the curvature is more than 70 degrees, the ribs can press against the lungs and heart, making it difficult to breathe and beat the heart. In cases of very severe scoliosis, when the curvature is more than 100 degrees, damage to the lungs and heart can develop. If breathing is impaired, the risk of lung infections and pneumonia increases.

Back diseases. Adults with scoliosis, as well as children, are more likely to experience chronic back pain than other people. Also, patients with untreated scoliosis may develop spondyloarthrosis.

Body diagram. Your child may be ashamed of his illness; such children are more often withdrawn, uncommunicative, and avoid society. As a parent, try to involve your child in a variety of activities that build confidence. Encourage friendship and normal relationships with other children.

Treatment

Children with scoliosis have a slight curvature of less than 20 degrees and do not need braces or surgery. Get periodic checkups and x-rays to make sure the curve is not getting worse (progressing). Children who are still growing need physical examinations every 6 months to check for changes in the curvature of the spine.

The decision to treat scoliosis is based on many clinical factors. There are recommendations for mild, moderate and severe curves, but the decision to begin treatment is always made on an individual basis. Treatment decisions depend on the child's age, maturity, gender, family history, the size of the curve on x-rays, and how long he or she will have to grow.

Corsets

If the child has a curvature of 20 to 40 degrees and is still in the growth phase, the doctor may recommend wearing a brace. Wearing a brace will not cure scoliosis or correct the curve, but it will prevent further progression of the curve. Most corsets are worn all the time, day and night. Scoliosis braces can prevent progression and the need for surgery in 90% of cases. Like many other treatments, scoliosis braces are only effective if they are worn as prescribed. The child himself and his family must understand the importance of wearing a corset.

Children who wear a brace can usually participate in almost all activities with only minor limitations. Children may remove the brace to participate in sports or other physical activities.

Once the skeleton becomes mature, at the age of 15-16 years for girls and 17-18 years for boys, or if the curvature becomes too large, more than 40-45 degrees, a corset will no longer be able to help.

The corset will not help if the child does not wear it as prescribed by the doctor. The corset may cause a feeling of discomfort and may seem strange at first. After an initial period of adjustment, the child will begin to feel normal in the corset. Your child may need help developing a positive attitude toward wearing a brace and maintaining a healthy body pattern.

Operation

If the child’s curvature is more than 40-50 degrees, the doctor may recommend surgery, since scoliosis of such severity can progress over the course of the child’s life, it makes no sense to use unconventional methods of correcting the spine (massage, manual therapy, special exercises). Wearing a corset also cannot help at this stage of the disease.

Surgical intervention allows children to return to normal life. In this case, the spine is aligned to a maximum of 80 percent. The optimal age for surgery is 10 - 15 years with a spinal curvature of 40 - 60 degrees. Although older patients (from 5 to 40 years old) can also undergo surgery. As the angle of curvature increases, the complexity and cost of the operation increases. Often, with curvatures of 3–4 degrees, two or more operations are needed. The operation involves implanting a metal structure (screws, hooks) into the spine, which allows the spine to be aligned using special rods. After surgery, corsets, plaster, etc. are usually not used.

The hospitalization period for one operation is about 10 days. Such operations are also indicated for kyphosis, post-traumatic and postoperative curvatures of the spine. Unoperated curvature of the spine is accompanied by respiratory failure, displacement of internal organs, and problems during pregnancy.

The standard classical surgical intervention for scoliosis is considered to be the operation of the French surgeons Cotrel and Dubusset. We first applied this methodology in Ukraine back in 1999. Now the International Center for Neurosurgery has introduced the latest, more effective modification of these operations, developed by the Korean surgeon Suk and the American orthopedist Lenke. We performed the first such operations in December 2006. The International Center for Neurosurgery uses imported American-made designs, which are considered the best in the world (CD HORIZON (M 10, M8), LEGACY - (Medtronic) USA systems).

A prerequisite for performing operations for scoliosis is neurophysiological monitoring of spinal cord functions. The essence of the method is to stimulate the cerebral cortex during surgery and record signals on the limbs using special equipment. We use the American NIM-Spine device. This monitoring requires special anesthesia. The effectiveness of the technique is that the surgeon has visual information about the condition of the spinal cord, especially during spinal alignment maneuvers. This makes it possible to avoid postoperative paralysis. The method was introduced for the first time in Ukraine at the ICNC.

Staying in one position for a long time;

Inconvenient and incorrectly selected desks and desks in accordance with the child’s height;

Lack of physical activity;

Carrying heavy objects (especially in one hand);

Visual impairment;

Diseases of internal organs;

Birth defects.

There is a clear division between congenital (hereditary) scoliosis and scoliosis acquired during life. Signs of the first are visible already when the umbilical cord is cut: these are spinal-costal anomalies, for example, fusion of the ribs or adjacent vertebrae, the presence of an additional vertebra.

The second develops in childhood and adolescence, and it is rarely possible to determine exactly why this happens. Hence the name scoliosis - idiopathic.

Depending on the time of manifestation, infantile (infantile) scoliosis is distinguished in children under 3 years of age; childhood (juvenile) scoliosis in pre-pubescent children (from 3 to 10 years); juvenile scoliosis in children and adolescents from 10 to 18-20 years, i.e. until bone growth stops.

Generally accepted tactics involve differentiated approaches to providing treatment to children with varying degrees of scoliosis. Conservative treatment is carried out with the participation of physiotherapists, massage therapists, exercise therapy instructors, vertebrologists, and chiropractors.

Treatment of scoliosis

For first-degree scoliosis, measures are taken to strengthen the muscles of the back and torso: physical therapy (physical therapy), swimming, massage, physiotherapy (myostimulation, electrophoresis, thermal procedures).

In developing correct posture and strengthening the muscles of the back and torso, perhaps nothing can compare with swimming. In other words, swimming is the best recipe for scoliosis.

Special gymnastic complexes performed as part of exercise therapy classes are also very effective. Scoliosis is accompanied by excessive muscle tone, which can be relieved by massage.

Scoliosis of the second and third degrees requires wearing a custom-made corset. At first it is put on for several hours, then the time of wearing it increases. All this is done under the supervision of an orthopedist.

Keep your back straight!

In the institutes for noble maidens, girls were forced to walk several times a day, holding a stick behind their back, to create a beautiful posture: their shoulders were straightened, a beautiful, proud posture was strengthened.

The standard of correct posture: the head is slightly raised, the shoulders are turned, the shoulder blades do not protrude, the line of the abdomen does not extend beyond the line of the chest. This posture can be developed with special exercises that strengthen the muscles of the arms, legs, back, abdomen, and neck.

Exercises to strengthen your back muscles

Starting position (ip) - lying on your stomach. Raise your head and shoulders, clasp your hands at the back of your head, spread your elbows to the sides.
I.p. - the same, arms to the sides. Lift your straightened legs alternately and simultaneously without lifting your pelvis from the floor.

READ ALSO: Scoliosis. Symptoms, degrees of scoliosis, diagnosis and treatment. Scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar regions. Gymnastics, exercises and massage. Surgery for scoliosis. :: Polismed.com

Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles

I.p. - lying on your back, arms along your body, lower back pressed to the floor. Raise your straightened legs alternately and simultaneously.
I.p. - the same. We make a smooth transition to a sitting position, while maintaining correct posture.

Exercises to strengthen the lateral muscles of the trunk

I.p. – lying on the right side, the right arm is extended, the left is located along the body. Raise and lower your left leg. Do the same exercise on your left side.
I.p. - the same, the right arm is extended, the left palm rests on the floor. Slowly raise and lower both straight legs. Do the same exercise on your left side. The movements should be smooth and rhythmic (one movement is performed in 2-3 seconds).

Exercises to develop correct posture

Lean tightly against the wall, with your back straight, your shoulders slightly apart, your chin raised (correct posture). Then take 2 steps forward, sit down, stand up. Take the correct body position again.
I.p. - lying on your back. The head, torso, legs are located on the same line, arms are pressed to the body. Raise your head and shoulders, fix your body position, and slowly return from the i.p.
Exercise with a weight on your head (a sandbag or a thick book): squat, walk with correct posture, and also step over obstacles.

Morning exercises

Exercises are best done on the floor or bed.

Lying on your back

1) Alternately pull your knees towards your chest, clasping your shins with your hands and at the same time pulling your toes towards you.

2) Perform the “bicycle” exercise for a minute. If it is difficult to work with both legs at the same time, work with them in turns. Pull the toe towards you.

Lying on your back, hands clasped at the back of your head, legs raised at an angle of 90 degrees. Raising your body as high as possible, try to touch your left knee with your right elbow and lower yourself.

Then try to touch your left elbow to your right knee. Repeat the exercise 10 times on each side.

Schedule of diseases - a list of diseases and congenital defects that serve as the basis for declaring a person unfit or partially fit for military service; announced by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR....
Kugelberg - Welander disease (E. Kugelberg, Swedish neuropathologist of the 20th century; L. Welander, b. 1909, Swedish doctor; synonym: pseudomyopathic muscular atrophy, progressive juvenile spinal muscular atrophy, proximal hereditary spinal muscular atrophy...

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Discussion Scoliosis is inherited

Dear doctor, hello! I have small and slightly larger spots on my back. I tried lomon with alcohol so many times, there were no good results. I would like to ask you what you can recommend to me so that these five rubles disappear from my back? ?? ?? ? I will be very grateful if
Dear doctor, hello! I have small and slightly larger spots on my back. I tried lemon with alcohol so many times with no good results. I would like to ask you what you can recommend to me to make these five-five rubles disappear from my back? ? ? ? ? ? I will be very grateful if you