Scoliosis: what is it? Types and degrees of scoliosis

Scoliosis is a disease of ODA, suggesting its lateral curvature, is congenital (twisting) and progresses throughout the period of human growth.

At the heart of the disease is a systemic pathology of connective tissue, glucosaminoglycans and hexuronic acid accumulated in the body, or a decrease in the level of hyaluronic acid.

The causes of scoliosis

The period in which scoliosis begins and is at the peak of its progression, falls on the young years (10-17 years), when young people are quickly stretched in growth. Most often, doctors can not determine the causes that triggered the development of the disease and call them idiopathic, i.e. remaining unknown.

The disease is more likely to affect children who spend a lot of time in a sitting position. These causes occupy 4/5 of all the factors causing the disease.

• hypermobility of the joints;
• congenital vertebra deformities;
• congenital / acquired difference in leg length (4 cm and more);
• diseases of the system of muscles and nerves;
• disorders in metabolism (in the bones);
• the consequences of injuries resulting from an accident (or amputations);
• diseases of the digestive tract and kidneys;
• intervertebral disc hernias (consequences of osteochondrosis) and radiculitis;
• operations performed on the heart (this reason is rare).

Types and degrees

There are three types of this disease of the spine:

• functional;
• neuromuscular;
• degenerative.

In the first case, an even spinal column exhibits pathological curvatures, which could be caused by some problems in the body, for example, spasm of the dorsal muscles.

In the second, the process of formation of the vertebral bones was disrupted. This type of disease is most affected by people who have already been born with defects or muscular dystrophy.

With degenerative scoliosis (in contrast to the first two), ligaments and other soft tissues of the spine are weakened, and as a supplement there are growths, arthritis arises.

The shape of the curvature of scoliosis can be:

• C-shaped (one arc is curved);
• S-shaped (two curved arcs);
• Z-shaped (three arcs of curvature).

There is a classification of degrees of scoliosis in degrees:

• 1 degree (the angle of scoliosis (US) takes the value from 1 to 10 degrees);
• 2 degrees (US is 11-25 degrees);
• 3 degrees (US - 26-50 degrees);
• 4 degrees (more than 50 degrees).

Scoliosis 1 degree: diagnosis and treatment

This type of disease is almost not noticeable, and the spine itself has the property of flattening when a person takes a recumbent position. Scoliosis can be formed in different parts of the spine. The most common is scoliosis of the loin, when it is curved to the left.

Scoliosis of the thoracic spine of 1 degree is characterized by curvature (in the prevalent number of diagnosed cases) in the right side (a person does not experience severe pain), but is quite capable of causing a negative reaction from the internal bodies. The manifestation, deforming the chest, is insignificant, and above all, affects the lungs, heart and stomach.

Scoliosis of the 1st degree is not a great danger, but without treatment the disease can lead to serious pathologies. To correct defeat at this stage it is possible with the help of physiotherapy exercises. Preventive measures include visits to the orthopedist 2-4 times a year, then the doctor will be able to control the development, not allowing progression.

Main features:

• 1-10 degree angle of inclination;
• slight stoop;
• aching type in the back;
• small visible discrepancies in the shoulders.

Significance, causes and symptoms of scoliosis of the 2nd degree

This is the result of the progression of the disease. It manifests itself more clearly, the external signs become reliable and easily identifiable when viewed. Diagnosis of the disease will be difficult only for obese people, their mass can hide the external manifestations of scoliosis, However, even this will not become an obstacle for a competent orthopedic physician, who even with such people will be able to determine the presence deformation.

If scoliosis of the second degree was detected in an 8- or 10-year-old child, then the deformity present in it develops very rapidly. Due to the fact that the spine will continue to grow, deformation will only increase, because the two factors are closely related.

In 8-year-old children, the spine is not so flexible, which greatly complicates the possibility of correcting the situation. In addition, a change in the shape of the chest can begin - a scoliosis of the thoracic spine of the 2nd degree. At the same time, the ribs begin to bulge, a hump is formed, and as a result - great problems with breathing.

A much better situation is when scoliosis was detected in an 18-year-old man or older. Similar risks for them are minimal, since the spine is already fully formed and practically stabilized.

Symptoms of scoliosis include:

• triangles of waist;
• asymmetrical arrangement of the shoulder and shoulder blade;
• asymmetry folds of the buttocks;
• presence of torsion;
• the angle of deviation is 11-25 degrees.

Scoliosis of the 3rd degree - how it occurs and is diagnosed

It can be found in children or adolescents who are in an active phase of body growth. The disease can be detected in people who have problems with the hormonal background, as well as metabolism. At the same time, the thorax changes in shape quite noticeably, and the rib hump is formed.

The patient can determine the 3 degree of scoliosis, when:

• angle of deviation in the range from 26 to 50 degrees;
• pain is rapid and grows;
• violation of posture (visually expressed);
• very noticeable deformation of the back;
• visible pelvic / humeral skew;
• in females, the asymmetry of the mammary glands.

To diagnose the disease, X-rays are used (several projections of the spine).

What is scoliosis of the 4th degree: symptoms and treatment

The fourth degree is the most severe and the people suffering from such a disease are very few. Diagnosis is not required, as external manifestations are obvious and visually obvious.

Characterized by the disease:

• 50 degree (or more) pathological bend (S and Z forms) of the spine;
• pronounced torsion;
• asymmetry of the back and the whole body;
• the formation of the upper and lower arcs in the upper and lower thoracic region, respectively;
• enlarged shoulder blade;
• an increase in liver size;
• development hump.

Diagnose the disease, based on the results of radiography. Very often in patients with this form of the disease develops kyphoscoliosis, less often - lordoscoliosis. In this case, shortness of breath, respiratory and heart failure, and blood pressure (small circle) becomes elevated.

Danger and consequences of scoliosis

Because of damage, the connective tissue becomes less durable and elastic. It leads to a weakening of connective tissue structures (to some extent), affecting all body systems without exception.

Often, scoliosis patients are accompanied by flat feet, disorders in the hip joint (dysplasia), dystonia, anomalies of the ways that lead bile and urine out of the body, as well as problems with the maxillofacial apparatus.