What Is Thoracic Scoliosis?

Thoracic scoliosis refers to a spinal deformity in which one or more spinal segments of the spine are bent sideways and accompanied by vertebral body rotation. The incidence of thoracic scoliosis is very high in modern people. It affects a large number of people, and the age is gradually becoming younger. In mild cases, fatigue, weakness in shoulders and backs, and difficulty concentrating can occur. In severe cases, severe back pain and restricted thoracic spine movements can occur in addition to the symptoms described above. Severe thoracic scoliosis in adolescents can also affect the development of internal organs. Patients with dysfunction should be treated with surgical correction.

Basic Information

Visiting department

orthopedics

Common locations

thoracic

Common causes

Long-term shoulder load, long-term posture, unilateral movement, external force hit, car accident, etc.

Common symptoms

Weakness, sore shoulders or back, or severe back pain, restricted thoracic spine movement

Causes of Thoracic Scoliosis

There are many causes of thoracic scoliosis, the most common are long-term unilateral shoulder picking, long-term posture imbalance, unilateral movement causing uneven thoracic musculature on both sides of the thoracic spine, and tilting of the vertebral disc causing compensatory scoliosis; other such as Severe external force, car accidents, collisions, etc. will also cause thoracic nerve compression and cause diseases of the thoracic organs.

Differential diagnosis of thoracic scoliosis

Thoracic spine deformity

Due to prolonged sitting, poor sleeping, and dehydration of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, the lordosis of the thoracic vertebra can gradually disappear, and it can even become straight or buckled, that is, the kyphosis is caused by kyphosis.

2. Thoracic spine

Refers to the loss of ribs of the 12th thoracic vertebra to form a lumbar spine-like morphology. If the 5th lumbar vertebrae is not accompanied by sacrospinous vertebrae, it still presents a lumbar vertebral morphology and functions as a lumbar spine.

3. Thoracic Scoliosis

A spinal deformity with one or more vertebral segments of the thoracic spine curved laterally with vertebral body rotation.

Thoracic Scoliosis Treatment Principles

The four physiological curvatures of the spine determine the posture of a person, and changes in curvature will affect the health of the body. Because the scoliotic spinal segment is in the thoracic spine, it can affect respiratory function if it continues to develop. If obvious nerve compression symptoms or local pain occur, conservative treatment is given first, and therapies such as physical therapy, traction, and closure are used. Dysfunction can be corrected by surgery.

Thoracic Scoliosis Prevention

1. Maintain the correct working posture

Those who work mainly in the sitting position should pay attention to keeping the thoracic spine always in the natural physiological dorsal arch upright position, and avoid the posture with one shoulder high and the other shoulder low, or side-bending and twisting posture as much as possible.

2. Maintain a good sleeping position

Sleep posture is very important for thoracic spine health. The shoulders and hips are the parts with the largest transverse diameter of the human body. The thoracic spine is in an upright position in the supine position. Lateral flexion occurs in the thoracic spine in the lateral position. Position, due to several segments of the thoracic spine strain and side-to-side lateral dislocation, such as long-term semi-recumbent or semi-prone position, prone to left-right rotation of the thoracic spine dislocation.

3. Sports precautions

Bicyclists should avoid riding tall cars and short cars, because the upper body can lean forward with their shoulders soaring, coupled with bumps while driving, the upper thoracic spine can easily be damaged over time, and slippage dislocation occurs.