What are the early signs of scoliosis?
Scoliosis
is an abnormal sideways curve in the spine usually occurs during growing stages
before puberty especially in the age group of 3 to 8 years.
Children
suffering from scoliosis
develop additional curves to either side of the body. As a result the vertebrae
i.e. bones of the spine twist on each other, forming a shape of C or S, termed
as scoliosis curve in the spine.
Scoliosis is often goes undetected as
changes in the appearance of the back develop gradually and cause without pain.
It is therefore important for the
parents to look for the early signs of scoliosis in their children, such as
- Uneven
shoulders or shoulder blades
- Rib
prominence, with one side more elevated than the other
- Uneven
waistline, with one side appearing higher than the other
- Uneven
hips
- Reduced
flexibility for bending due to rigidity that affects body motion
- Changes
in walking pattern
- Trouble standing up straight
- Tired feeling
However, in severe Scoliosis, the rib cage may press
against the lungs and make breathing difficult and cause shortness of breath.
Is scoliosis caused by bad posture?
The
commonest form of scoliosis among children during growth spurt stage is
referred as idiopathic scoliosis. It is caused due to unknown reasons. Sitting
with slouch, walking abnormally with uneven hips and shoulders or other bad postures usually do not cause
scoliosis.
Scoliosis
is not caused due to sleep positioning, postures or leg length difference,
backpacks or sports.
What kinds of rods are used for scoliosis?
Usually,
thorax (chest) that supports development of the lungs grows during age
group of 3 to 8 years and is essential for the growth of child’s body.
It is
therefore essential adopt Spine or rib-based growing rod systems
like Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib Device (VEPTR) before children
reach the age of their skeletal maturity.
This
procedure involves attachment of one or two rods to the spine with
screws, hooks, and screws or ribs using special hooks and brackets.
The other forms of
growing rods used for scoliosis surgery include rods that are magnetically
controlled. This form of surgery for scoliosis is referred as magnetically controlled growing rod
surgery.
In this procedure,
each magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) has a magnet with it. Using a
remote control device externally, the magnet is triggered to make changes in
the length of the rod.
This procedure
does not require general anesthesia and a surgical incision and allows the
child to stay awake during procedure. Growth-Guided Devices for Pediatric Scoliosis corrects
the scoliosis while allowing the child to grow.
Surgeons using
growth-guided devices, attach the rods to screws or wires to the anchor points,
along the spine. The procedure the spine elongates along with rod to correct
the deformity as the child grows. All these procedures are performed with
skill, precision and precautions while preventing risks of scoliosis surgery India.
What are growing rods?
The growing rods
are rods that are implanted and attached to the spine and/or ribs with hooks
and screws to correct the spine curve.
This
growth-sparing procedure involves multiple procedures in order to adjust the
rods with the growth of the patient.
The treatment with
growth rods for correction of spinal curve allows the proper growth of the
spine to allow a relevant growth in patient’s height.
How long does it take to recover from scoliosis surgery?
After
first two weeks in the hospital, most patients can go home but has to exercise
controlled movement, no lifting or strenuous works etc.
The
patient has to go to the surgeon for periodical checkups as advised to ensure
prevention of growth
rod surgery risks especially infection. The primary
focus remains on taking rest till critical period is over which usually takes
three months.
However, patient can avail growth rod surgery advantages in India depending upon healing of incision
due to scoliosis surgery.
After two to four weeks, patient can
start taking bath i.e. soaking in a tub, attend school and go out with friends but with lot of
caution. By eighth week patient can even go for riding in a vehicle.
