Health & Wellness
Fit on
Board
What you need to know
about Scoliosis Surgery
by Dr. Larry Acuña
W
hy is our spine important?
First, our spine is our body’s main
support. It is what enables us to stand
upright and move around. It is the main
frame where all our body parts are attached
to, our head, shoulders, chest, hips, and
legs. This means that any change in the
anatomy of our spine can have drastic
effects in our everyday activities.
Normally, if you look at another person’s back, the spine is
straight and midline. However, there are some people that have
an abnormal lateral curvature of their spine. This disease is called
scoliosis. It causes an abnormal “C” or “S” shaped curvature of the
spine making the shoulders uneven and slanted and the rib cage
prominent on one side.
The main cause for scoliosis is usually unknown. Many other
illnesses and syndromesare linked to this disease like cerebral palsy,
muscular dystrophy*, or Marfan syndrome**. Muscular dystrophy
is a group of inherited diseases marked by progressive weakening
and wasting of the muscles while Marfan syndrome is a genetic
disorderthat affects the body's connective tissue.
Scoliosis is seen in two to four percent of our population, and is
more common in girls than boys. Further, it is diagnosed through
physical examination and/or with radiographs of the spine.
Scoliosis is a spine deformity that when progresses severely, will
cause restrictive lung disease manifested by difficulty in breathing
and getting tired easily. Moreover, scoliosis brings along a stigma
of a negative body image, which is the usual complaint of teenaged
patients with the deformity.Back pain usually manifests in the adult
population.
Disclaimer: Fit On Board gives only information that will help you understand ailments and its symptoms. Suggest
preventive measures but not as cures. It is still best suited for you to seek professional advice and consult your doctors…
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