Does one side of your waste seem to be higher than the other? It is possible that you are suffering from a medical condition that is known is scoliosis, which can be treated by a physician based on how severe it is. Find out in this article what you should know about scoliosis so you can determine is seeking medical attention is in your best favor.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition of the spine that causes it to be positioned in an abnormal way. For instance, instead of having a spine with a slight curve that looks straight when staring at it, the spine has a large curvature to it. The curve can be so severe that it causes your shoulders to be uneven. A few of the other complications of scoliosis include:
- Lung problems
- Heart problems
- A bad build in the mid-section
- Bad positioning of the rib cage
- Chronic back pain that does not go away
It is possible for you to get scoliosis without any particular cause. However, you can get the disorder from a family member if it runs in your family. The disorder can also occur if there has been damage to your spine, such as from an accident or infection. Birth defects and neuromuscular conditions can also lead to the development of scoliosis.
How is Scoliosis Diagnosed & Treated?
Diagnosing scoliosis may involve a few different tests, including a neurological examination to check your reflexes and strength of your muscles. The specialist may also ask you to bend the top portion of your body over your waist and allow your arms to hang. He or she will want to observe the position of your rib cage for abnormalities. You will also be given an x-ray so the specialist can get a better look at your spinal cord.
Treating scoliosis will depend on factors that include the extent of spinal curvature for an adult, but in children treatment may depend on sex and bone maturity as well. Braces can be worn during treatment for a child, but surgery is likely to be done since you are an adult. Surgery will involve undergoing a procedure called spinal fusion, which allows a specialist to join together multiple bones to give your spine better movement. The specialist will also straighten up your spine by keeping it in place with wires, metal rods and hooks. Don't delay getting in touch with a specialist to find out if you need to get treated for scoliosis!
For professional scoliosis care, contact a doctor such as C D Denison.
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