What is Scoliosis?

 Scoliosis, an orthopedic disorder, is the loss of its natural stance due to the right/left shift of the spine and, accordingly, the deterioration of the body’s anatomical structure starting from the hip.

What Causes Scoliosis? 

• Diseases that occur in the womb and damage the skeletal system, such as cerebral palsy
• Care mistakes, traumas, and neuromuscular diseases in infancy
• Carrying heavy backpacks in childhood and adolescence, sitting and sleeping habits that cause posture disorders
• Genetic transmission

Although the conditions mentioned above can cause scoliosis, the number of scoliosis cases whose cause is unknown is higher.

Scoliosis Symptoms 

• Shoulder and hip asymmetry
• Depression in the back, swelling
• Asymmetry of the breasts in women
• Right or left inclined posture, sitting
• Difficulty standing upright
• Shortness of breath
• Back and waist pain
• Difficulty walking, pain in the lower back and hips
• loss of strength in muscles

Types of Scoliosis

 Scoliosis is categorized according to its causes and degrees.

• Idiopathic/Scoliosis of Unknown Cause
• Congenital/Congenital Scoliosis
• Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Scoliosis Grades

For the curvature of the spine to be considered scoliosis, it must be at least 10 degrees.

• Mild Scoliosis

Curvatures between 10-20 degrees are considered within the scope of mild scoliosis cases. It is a type of scoliosis that does not require surgical operation. The patient is followed. With scoliosis brace and physical therapy exercises, it is possible to stop the progression of spinal curvature and improve it.

• Moderate Scoliosis

Curvatures between 20 and 40 degrees mean a diagnosis of moderate scoliosis. A diagnosis of moderate scoliosis approaching 40 degrees and suppressing the lungs and heart may require surgery. With physical therapy and using a corset, it is possible to heal to a certain extent or stop its progress.  

• Severe Scoliosis

Curvatures over 40 degrees are severe scoliosis cases and require scoliosis surgery.

Scoliosis Treatment

Scoliosis needs different treatment processes in infants, growing children, adolescents, and adults. Although early diagnosis provides some advantages, there are some handicaps of scoliosis surgery in the process where the spine continues to lengthen.

Therefore, the method in the treatment of scoliosis requires planning a personalized follow-up and treatment process by calculating parameters such as the onset and degree of scoliosis, the patient’s age, and general health status.

Scoliosis Surgery  

Scoliosis surgery is performed to re-establish the patient’s daily life comfort in 40 degrees or higher spinal curvature that does not respond positively to corset treatment and physical therapy exercises.

Scoliosis surgery is performed under general anesthesia takes approximately 3-4 hours, and different techniques and approaches are applicable for children and adults.

Suppose scoliosis surgery is obligatory in children of developmental age. In that case, fusion surgery is performed without fusion or with limited fusion so that it would not prevent the growth of the spine.

There is no harm in performing spinal fusion surgery as it completes the development of the spine in adults.

After the scoliosis surgery, the patient is kept under observation in the hospital for four days / 1 week, care is given, and it is ensured that she can stand up and walk. For the patient to return to her daily life as soon as possible, the post-operative treatment process is supported with physical therapy and rehabilitation applications.