Spine Curvature Disorder

Spine Curvature Disorder

 The spine structure is usually made up of several curves which are visible from the side. However, the normal curves should not be mistaken for the abnormal vertebral disorder. There are three abnormal curves, namely scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis.

Scoliosis is the sideways curving of the spine. It may curve to the right and left side, causing the spine to appear to have a C-shape or an S-shape. This abnormality is common in the thoracic spine and the children (Grivas & Samartzis, 2016). There are three types of scoliosis, each with its cause. First, functional scoliosis is where an abnormal curve develops due to a problem elsewhere in the body. For instance, if one leg is shorter than the other may cause weight imbalance; hence abnormal curvature develops. This abnormality can be treated by placing a small wedge in the shoe to even the length of the legs.

Second, neuromuscular scoliosis is due to a problem during bone formation. The bones at the spine may fail to separate from each other, or the bones may fail to form ultimately. This is common in people with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, and it causes the development of a long C-shaped curve and weak muscles (Grivas & Samartzis, 2016). The treatment is based on age when it developed. If the problem is detected earlier, bracing can be tried to avoid further complications. When the curve is too severe, surgery may be needed to fix the problem.

Lordosis is a swayback curving of the spine. When the normal lordotic curve arches too far inwards, it creates a condition known as lordosis. There are several types of lordosis; First, lumbar spine lordosis causes a formation of a C-like arch at the back of the neck. When it is severe, it is visible from the side with the buttocks and the abdomen sticking out. Second, cervical lordosis is a condition when the neck spine fails to curve as healthy as it is the case when there is too much curve or the curve has moved to the right or left.

The condition is caused by several factors, including achondroplasia, a common type of dwarfism, and obesity. Also, spondylolisthesis is a condition where one o the lower vertebras sli[ps forward onto the bone below. This condition can only be treated through surgery and therapy.  Osteoporosis is a condition causing a decrease in bone density and my cause lordosis. Finally, osteosarcoma, which is a bone cancer that develops in the thighbone, shinbone, and upper arm, may cause lordosis. The severity of the curve determines the type of treatment to be administered. Also, the lumbar spine lordosis can fix itself when one bends forward (González-Gálvez et al., 2019). Physical therapy and exercise can manage this condition.

Kyphosis is a disorder caused by the excessive outward curve of the spine, which creates an abnormal round back. There are several causes of kyphosis; first postural kyphosis, which is the most common and appears during adolescence. It is usually caused by poor posture. Kyphosis problem is treated through physical therapy to help strengthen the back muscles (González-Gálvez et al., 2019). The second one is Scheuermann’s kyphosis, which is caused by an abnormality in the spine structure and is visible through an x-ray from the side. The X-Ray will show that the vertebrate is made of triangular shapes that cause them to wedge together towards the front of the spine. This will eventually decrease the normal disk space hence creating an abnormal forward curvature—finally, congenital kyphosis caused by the failure of the spinal column to develop in babies. This condition is present at birth. The problem is treated through spine fusion to limit the progression of the curve as the baby grows.

References

Gardner, A., Berryman, F., & Pynsent, P. (2018). The Development of Kyphosis and Lordosis in the Growing Spine. SPINE, 43(19), E1109-E1115. https://doi.org/10.1097/brs.0000000000002654

González-Gálvez, N., Gea-García, G., & Marcos-Pardo, P. (2019). Effects of exercise programs on kyphosis and lordosis angle: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 14(4), e0216180. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216180

Grivas, T., & Samartzis, D. (2016). Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders journal: a new, cutting-edge frontier in spine publishing. Scoliosis And Spinal Disorders, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-016-0061-3

Janicki, J. A., & Alman, B. (2007). Scoliosis: Review of diagnosis and treatment. Paediatrics & child health, 12(9), 771-776.