Spine Scoliosis

Spine Scoliosis
What is Spine Scoliosis?
Treatment Options
Recovery Time
Level of Activity after Treatment

What is Spine Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is abnormal curving of the spine. In cases of either increased curving or buckling of the spine to either side, scoliosis occurs. Often time patients look as if their shoulders or hips are not level. A popular screening tool for teens is to evaluate the shoulder alignment that can be disrupted with the trunk curving. The abnormal curves can occur in different directions and can lead to arm or leg length differences.

Symptoms of a Spine Scoliosis: Pain over the curved spine, loss of flexibility, balance problems and tilting to one side can be some of the presenting symptoms. Symptoms are caused by the abnormally curved spine and depend on the particular part of the spine affected. In the upper spine, arm length discrepancies, breathing problems, pain and in more severe cases, disfiguring posture can occur. In the lower back, back pain, leg pain, balance problems, and hip pain can be the presenting problems.

Causes of Spine Scoliosis: In the younger and pre-teen patients, scoliosis may be due to abnormal formation of some of the vertebra in the spine, so called butterfly vertebrae. In others, muscle weakness on one side of the spine produces uneven forces which lead to progressive over-curving and scoliosis. In some cases, no specific cause can be identified. In the older patients, repetitive damage to the disc and joints lead to gradual weakening of the supportive structures. The normal curves are then replaced by over-curving, collapse of the disc height and pinching of the nerves.

Diagnosis of Spine scoliosis: Screening measurements and bending maneuvers are some of the ways that early childhood and teenage scoliosis is first diagnosed. Skeletal survey X-rays allow the spine specialist to obtain accurate measurements for the particular curves. The measured angles are then used to either follow the patient, prescribe bracing or proceed with surgical correction.

Treatment Options

With the diagnosis of scoliosis established, treatment options are based on symptom severity, degree of curvature and progression of the curve. For the growing spine in pre-puberty and through teen years, bracing can help guide the growing spine. Again an accurate diagnosis and proper evaluation to identify possible reversible causes of scoliosis are very important prior to any intervention.

Recovery Time

In case of surgical intervention, Dr. Mohamed Mohi Eldin emphasizes minimally-invasive techniques for the correction of the scoliotic curve. Direct lateral approaches, either through the DLIF or XLIF can provide significant correction of the curve, through small surgical corridors. Theses are muscle sparing techniques with rapid recovery rate and minimal blood loss. Recovery involves an overnight stay, followed by physical therapy by the third week after surgery.

Level of Activity after Treatment

The first two weeks after surgery is a time to relax and let the initial healing process to take place. Dr. Mohamed Mohi Eldin evaluates and discusses the exercise program and physical therapy during the first visit with him after surgery. Generally, patients are started on a physical therapy program three weeks after the surgery. Four to six weeks of bracing are recommended depending on the number of corrected levels.

Why Select Dr. Mohamed Mohi Eldin?