What is degenerative scoliosis?
Degenerative scoliosis is a condition involving an exaggerated or abnormal curve of the spine. Unlike idiopathic scoliosis, this happens after the spine ends in growth and is caused by degenerative conditions in the spine. Instead of half the back is more common and usually occurs in people over 60 years.
Some of the most common causes of degenerative scoliosis are osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. It is also relatively common that patients suffer from both conditions. Some people who develop disorders already suffer from idiopathic scoliosis and their spine are already structurally endangered, which makes them more vulnerable to degenerative disease.
In many individuals, degenerative scoliosis is relatively mild without significant symptoms. In other people, the most common symptom is spine pain. This pain may deteriorate if they spend too much time in one position and carrying heavy objects can deteriorate. Some patients may notice a hump in the spine or odd curve. In some cases they canxist muscle cramps or an unusual level of pain in long distance walking.
In the diagnosis of degenerative scoliosis, doctors often ask a number of questions and perform X -rays of the spine. They will also usually want to see any earlier X -rays if they are available to make a comparison. If unusual curvature is discovered, it may want to perform further tests to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other possible threats such as spinal cancer.
treatment differs much depending on the severity of the symptoms and the stage of the disease. In most cases, the physician begins non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. It will help control pain and reduce any inflammation that could be acceleration of degeneration. As the disease deteriorates, doctors can proceed with the rear brace help stabilize the spine and reduce pain. When the pain becomes extreme, the doctor mayEven injectable anti -inflammatory drugs directly into the most affected areas.
Some people with degenerative scoliosis may be surgery. Doctors usually wait for the disorder to reach a level where it begins to interfere with the patient's lifestyle or represents a serious health risk. Surgeons generally combine certain parts of the spine to strengthen it and reduce the pressure on the nerves. Operation is usually not necessary because most patients are older and the disorder generally proceeds very slowly.