ScoliosisScoliosis

By: Doug RustBy: Doug Rust

SBI3U

ISU

Mr. Watts

2007

A bit about the Spine…A bit about the Spine… Two main functions of Two main functions of

spine 1. spinal cord is spine 1. spinal cord is critical carrier of critical carrier of messages containing messages containing functions for the body functions for the body

2. spinal column holds 2. spinal column holds the body erectthe body erect

Consists of 33 separate Consists of 33 separate bones called vertebrae bones called vertebrae which comes from the which comes from the Latin word “to turn”Latin word “to turn”

A normal spine has 4 separate A normal spine has 4 separate curves, top is Cervical curves, top is Cervical Vertebrae, chest curves are Vertebrae, chest curves are Thoracic and Lumbar, bottom is Thoracic and Lumbar, bottom is Sacrum and CoccyxSacrum and Coccyx

More about the SpineMore about the Spine

Spine is surrounded by a complex of Spine is surrounded by a complex of ligaments and muscle making it possible for ligaments and muscle making it possible for body to bend and straightenbody to bend and straighten

Within vertebral column are rubbery Within vertebral column are rubbery cylinders of cartilage call diskscylinders of cartilage call disks

Cartilage disks absorb shocks which relieve Cartilage disks absorb shocks which relieve body from pressure movementsbody from pressure movements

What is Scoliosis?What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is defined as Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature an abnormal curvature of the spine, often being of the spine, often being progressive which can progressive which can result in severe result in severe deformity and other deformity and other related medical related medical problemsproblems

HistoryHistory

Physicians have been trying to treat this Physicians have been trying to treat this deformity for centuriesdeformity for centuries

Idiopathic scoliosis means the origin of the Idiopathic scoliosis means the origin of the disorder is unknowndisorder is unknown

85% of the scoliosis is classified as 85% of the scoliosis is classified as IdiopathicIdiopathic

Because the disorder is usually genetic, it is Because the disorder is usually genetic, it is difficult to trace the origin of the disorderdifficult to trace the origin of the disorder

Causes of ScoliosisCauses of Scoliosis

Many other diseases or problems can lead to Many other diseases or problems can lead to scoliosisscoliosis

Considered to be a genetic problem in most casesConsidered to be a genetic problem in most cases Imbalance of muscle around vertebraeImbalance of muscle around vertebrae High arches in the feet which cause an imbalanceHigh arches in the feet which cause an imbalance Defects in co-ordination during growth may cause Defects in co-ordination during growth may cause

asymmetrical growthasymmetrical growth Lack of melatonin in blood that may affect muscle Lack of melatonin in blood that may affect muscle

tone and development during sleeptone and development during sleep 2 physical causes are : 1. unequal leg length2 physical causes are : 1. unequal leg length 2. muscle spasms2. muscle spasms

Other Factors Leading to ScoliosisOther Factors Leading to Scoliosis

Tumors, growths or other small Tumors, growths or other small abnormalities on spinal columnabnormalities on spinal column

Muscle paralysis and deterioration from Muscle paralysis and deterioration from muscular diseases (eg. Cerebral palsy or muscular diseases (eg. Cerebral palsy or polio)polio)

Injury to spinal cordInjury to spinal cord Stress factors and hormonal abnormalities Stress factors and hormonal abnormalities

that affect bone growth in young athletesthat affect bone growth in young athletes

Birth Defects Causing ScoliosisBirth Defects Causing Scoliosis

Spina Bifida (an open spinal cord)Spina Bifida (an open spinal cord) Spina Bifida Cystica (a hernia of the central Spina Bifida Cystica (a hernia of the central

nervous system)nervous system) Turner’s SyndromeTurner’s Syndrome Other diseases such as : Marfan’s Other diseases such as : Marfan’s

syndrome, freiedreich ataxia, albers-syndrome, freiedreich ataxia, albers-schonberg disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schonberg disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cushing’s syndrome, osteogenesis cushing’s syndrome, osteogenesis imperfectaimperfecta

EffectsEffects

Effects the back bones, musculoskeletal system Effects the back bones, musculoskeletal system and spineand spine

May be chronic and progressiveMay be chronic and progressive Mild scoliosis will cause few problems and require Mild scoliosis will cause few problems and require

no treatmentno treatment Rotation of vertebrae will caused misalignment of Rotation of vertebrae will caused misalignment of

the ribsthe ribs Lung problems can develop of many yearsLung problems can develop of many years Scoliosis usually painless Scoliosis usually painless

SymptomsSymptoms

Tilted head that does not line up over hipsTilted head that does not line up over hips Shoulder blade sticks outShoulder blade sticks out One hip/shoulder is higher than the otherOne hip/shoulder is higher than the other Un-even neck lineUn-even neck line Person leans more to one sidePerson leans more to one side In girls, breasts appear to be unequal sizeIn girls, breasts appear to be unequal size When child bends, one side of back is higher than When child bends, one side of back is higher than

the otherthe other *In some cases, there are NO visible symptoms *In some cases, there are NO visible symptoms

DiagnosisDiagnosis

Visual examination is usually Visual examination is usually enough to recognize conditionenough to recognize condition

X-Rays of spine will determine X-Rays of spine will determine extent of curveextent of curve

Some schools have screening Some schools have screening programs to detect disorderprograms to detect disorder

This x-ray shows a slight curve which is called dextroscoli-osis. It is a curve on the right side in the Thoracic region of the spine.

This x-ray shows the uneven shoulders that result in some cases of scoliosis

TreatmentTreatment

For some cases of scoliosis where For some cases of scoliosis where the curvature is severe it will require the curvature is severe it will require close observationclose observation

Exercises have no affect on Exercises have no affect on scoliosisscoliosis

Small curves do not require special Small curves do not require special treatmenttreatment

Treatment with a BraceTreatment with a Brace

If the curve is If the curve is becoming becoming more clear more clear and larger, and larger, the curve will the curve will be treated be treated with a bracewith a brace

Treatment by SurgeryTreatment by Surgery

If the curve is too severe, they will treat it If the curve is too severe, they will treat it with surgery by a specialistwith surgery by a specialist

During the surgery, a rod will be inserted During the surgery, a rod will be inserted along the spine after aligning the spine as along the spine after aligning the spine as much as possiblemuch as possible

The rod with prevent any further curvatureThe rod with prevent any further curvature

Surgery Video

Future OutlookFuture Outlook

Researches are looking for a main causeResearches are looking for a main cause Studies are taking place in genetics, growth and Studies are taking place in genetics, growth and

structural biochemical alterations in discs and structural biochemical alterations in discs and muscles and central nervous system changesmuscles and central nervous system changes

Changes in discs seem to be the result and not Changes in discs seem to be the result and not cause of scoliosiscause of scoliosis

Hope that studying central nervous system will Hope that studying central nervous system will lead to causelead to cause

Recent research has said the first gene associated Recent research has said the first gene associated with scoliosis has been foundwith scoliosis has been found

ResearchResearch

Researchers are currently researching how Researchers are currently researching how variety of braces, surgical procedures and variety of braces, surgical procedures and instruments can be used to straighten the instruments can be used to straighten the spine or prevent further curvaturespine or prevent further curvature

They are currently studying the long-term They are currently studying the long-term effects of scoliosis fusion and untreated effects of scoliosis fusion and untreated scoliosisscoliosis

Facts About ScoliosisFacts About Scoliosis

Affects about 2% of the populationAffects about 2% of the population Usually runs in families, 20% more chance of Usually runs in families, 20% more chance of

having scoliosis if a family member has ithaving scoliosis if a family member has it Majority of scoliosis starts in childrenMajority of scoliosis starts in children It develops before puberty, mostly in girlsIt develops before puberty, mostly in girls In adults, it is usually caused by having it as a In adults, it is usually caused by having it as a

child and not treating itchild and not treating it In the elderly, scoliosis is usually caused by In the elderly, scoliosis is usually caused by

Osteoporosis (bone softening)Osteoporosis (bone softening)

ReferencesReferences Finley, Thomas K. (2002). Scoliosis. In Finley, Thomas K. (2002). Scoliosis. In Magill’s Medical GuideMagill’s Medical Guide (Vol.3, pp. 2018 (Vol.3, pp. 2018

– 2022). New Jersey : Solem Press Inc.– 2022). New Jersey : Solem Press Inc. (1996) Scoliosis. (1996) Scoliosis. Mayo Clinic Family Health BookMayo Clinic Family Health Book. New York : William Morrow . New York : William Morrow

and Company, Inc. (Vol. 2, pp 906 – 907).and Company, Inc. (Vol. 2, pp 906 – 907). University of Maryland Medical Centre. (2002) What are the symptoms of University of Maryland Medical Centre. (2002) What are the symptoms of

scoliosis? Retrieved April 9, 2007 on the World Wide Web : scoliosis? Retrieved April 9, 2007 on the World Wide Web : httphttp://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_scoliosis_000068_5.ht://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_scoliosis_000068_5.htmlml

University of Maryland Medical Centre. (2002). What causes scoliosis? University of Maryland Medical Centre. (2002). What causes scoliosis? Retrieved April 9,2007 on the World Wide Web : Retrieved April 9,2007 on the World Wide Web : http://www.umm.edu/patiented/aticles/what_causes_scoliosis_000068_2.htmhttp://www.umm.edu/patiented/aticles/what_causes_scoliosis_000068_2.htm

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2000). Scoliosis. Retrieved April American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2000). Scoliosis. Retrieved April 9, 2007 on the World Wide Web : 9, 2007 on the World Wide Web : http://www.orthoinfro.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_10=14http://www.orthoinfro.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_10=14

Video from Video from http://www.myscoliosis.org/spine_surgery_instrumentation.aspx?v=1http://www.myscoliosis.org/spine_surgery_instrumentation.aspx?v=1

Real X-rays courtesy of my Mom’s friendly chiropractor.Real X-rays courtesy of my Mom’s friendly chiropractor.