Eileen, Do You Have Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. The curvature of the spine, or the Cobb angle must be at least 10 degrees to be considered scoliosis. It is classified as mild if the range falls between 10-20 degrees, moderate if it falls between 20-50 degrees, and severe if it is greater than 50 degrees.

When looking at the spine from the side, kyphosis is an increased outward curvature of the thoracic spine, while lordosis is an increased inward curvature of the lumbar spine. Scoliosis tends to have either an S or C curvature to the spine. With these inappropriate curvatures of the spine the person’s ability to bear weight can be inhibited and flexibility may be diminished as well.

Bracing may be considered if the scoliosis is moderate and if the bones are still growing. If you are fully grown bracing may not be the best option. Injections can sometimes be utilized to take pressure off compressed and irritated nerve roots. Surgery may be an option if the scoliosis falls into the severe category. With surgery, the spine is fused, and the scoliosis is arrested and prevented from progressing, but recovery can be long and arduous.

If you tend to lean to the left or if you tend to lean to the right, it may be time to stand up sit down, fight, fight, fight. If you have scoliosis find out what options are available to you. Please lean on us at Advanced Spine and Pain and let us help rewind the clock and turn you back into a lean mean pain-fighting machine.