Signs and symptoms

The patient notices that Clothes fit awkwardly or hang unevenly

• The Head is not centered directly above the pelvis
• Ribs that stick out farther on one side of your body than the other
• Waist is uneven
• A prominence on one side of the back when bending forward
• The patient might come with symptoms like low back pain, Back stiffness, Pain and numbness in your legs (from pinched nerves) and Fatigue due to muscle strain.

Diagnosis

As in any other disease, the medical history and the clinical examination are crucial, then there are multiple ways to confirm the diagnosis, most important of all is X-ray imaging.

X-ray imaging can show the structure of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints. X-rays of the spine are obtained to search for other potential causes of pain, i.e., infections, fractures, deformities, etc. which can also confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and reveal the severity of the spinal curvature.

CT (computed tomography scan) is mainly helpful in showing the bony structures like the spinal canal and the vertebrae around it

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is very helpful in showing the spine itself, nerve roots and surrounding areas, as well as enlargement, degeneration and deformities.

Treatment

We have two options when it comes to managing scoliosis, Braces and surgery. The doctor will choose the appropriate procedure depending on the condition of the patient, the age, the severity of scoliosis, and even the sex of the patient as female patients have a higher risk of progression than males.
Braces: this method can be used only when the patient’s skeleton is immature (age 10 to 15).
and the angle of the scoliosis is appropriate or if the patients choose the braces over the preservation and surgery. The most common type of brace is made of plastic. This brace is almost invisible under the clothes, as it fits under the arms and around the rib cage, lower back and hips.
They should be worn between 13 and 16 hours a day. A brace’s effectiveness increases with the number of hours a day it’s worn.

Surgery

indications:

• skeletally immature patients with an angle equal to 50 or above
• (some) skeletally immature patients with an angle between 40 and 50
• Skeletally mature patients with an angle of 50 or above
• Patients with the lumbar curve with marked trunk shift

The procedure:

It is called spinal fusion where 2 or more vertebrae are joined together to stabilize, strengthen and straighten the spine. Pieces of bone or a bone-like material are placed between the vertebrae. Metal rods, hooks, screws or wires typically hold that part of the spine straight and still while the old and new bone material fuses.
The technique your surgeon uses depends on the location of the vertebrae to be fused.
It is done under general anesthesia and It may take several months for the affected bones in your spine to heal and fuse.

Risks of Spinal Fusion:

• Injury to blood vessels or nerves in and around the spine
• Poor wound healing
• Pain at the site from which the bone graft is taken
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Bleeding