Types of Scoliosis
Mainstream medicine’s method of dealing with scoliosis is fairly standard. Based off of Mayo Clinic’s website advice for a diagnosed individual with scoliosis is:
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Periodic checkups to monitor the progression of the curve up to 25 degrees.
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Pass 25 degrees the patient may be placed in a brace to prevent progression of the curve(s).
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If the unfortunate circumstance of a 40-degree curve becomes a reality, then a surgical consultation is warranted.
These are the recommendations for children diagnosed with the condition until they achieve skeletal maturity. The recommendations will be capped with the “there is no scientific basis” that exercises or chiropractic will reduce curve progression.
Up to 20,000 Harrington Rod implantations, surgeries are performed every year to treat the disease of scoliosis, representing 2.4 billion dollars in medical expenses annually, for a medical procedure that can only be described as the most archaic form of current medical interventions, and has a dubious success rate to boot. Of all the energy that has been poured into finding cures to the various illnesses humanity confronts daily, it seems that scoliosis has been inexcusably neglected throughout time. Some of the brave souls in the healing arts have chosen to look conventional wisdom in the face and take fate into their own hands. If you are reading this then you most likely are that someone or know someone. So what are you waiting for?
Many chiropractic and non-main stream medicine treatments are available. These rapidly growing options are providing hope to those that wish to avoid scoliosis surgery.
Your question most likely is “Can this treatment help the scoliosis I have?”
Let’s dive into the different types of scoliosis. The different types are mentioned a majority of the time without educating the individual or family members. Today I’ll be discussing Idiopathic Scoliosis including Infantile, Juvenile, Adolescent and Congenital scoliosis.
Idiopathic Scoliosis:
This is the most common form of lateral spinal deviation, accounting for up to 80 percent of scoliosis. Many patients always ask “What causes this?” There is really no known cause that is 100 percent absolute. Many factors have been implicated. These include connective tissue disease, diet, enzymes, muscular imbalance, vestibular dysfunction, traumatic birth, serious accident, and inheritance. Patients with scoliosis can have associated osteopenia while the intervertebral discs remain immature.
Of all causes, an inherited genetic defect appears to play a significant role with up to 30 percent of patients having another family member with significant scoliosis. A positive family history does not translate into worse curves or progressive curves. The age of onset distinctively occurs within the growth period and allows for an age-based classification-infantile, juvenile, and adolescent.
Infantile idiopathic Scoliosis
- Occurs between birth and three years of age.
- May not progress after three years of age.
- Rare in the United States of America.
- More common in males
- Usually, a left convex thoracic curve.
Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Occurs between three and ten years of age.
- Female gender predominance of 4 to 1.
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Curvature develops between age of ten and skeletal maturity
- Most common type of idiopathic scoliosis.
- Females are predominantly affected, with a ratio of 9 to 1 over males.
- Period of progression is between 12 and 16.
- Progression of the curvature slows to 5 to 15 degrees, except for women during and after menopause.
- Ten times greater incidence of congenital heart disease when the idiopathic curve is more than 20 degrees.
CONGENITAL SCOLIOSIS
Congenital scoliosis is distinguished by anomalies of the vertebrae or ribs. The most frequently observed anomalies include hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, spina bifida, bridging vertebral bars, joint deformities, the fusion of ribs and other rib malformations. This curve is typically a short “C” curve and may be rapidly progressive in the growing years. Occasionally, anterior vertebral body defects may cause superimposed kyphosis (kyphoscoliosis). There is a frequent association in congenital scoliosis with anomalies of the genitourinary system.
Radiological Assessment
The radiologic examination is the most definitive and important diagnostic tool in the assessment and management of the patient with scoliosis. A number of non-radiologic methods, such as moire contour graph and back contour devices, have been employed. The role of the radiograph is multiple:
Determining etiology
- Evaluating curvature
- Including site
- Magnitude
- Flexibility
- Assessing bone maturity
- Monitoring progression or regression
- Aiding in the selection of appropriate treatment
- A wide variety of factors is involved in the process of obtaining practical clinical information while avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.
After All, This Can I Be Helped?
Yes!