{"id":2128,"date":"2019-08-12T10:25:24","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T10:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/?p=2128"},"modified":"2024-06-17T12:39:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T12:39:21","slug":"screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities\/","title":{"rendered":"Screening and early Intervention for Spinal Deformities"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"toc\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"color: #c01c7b;\">Table of Content<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q1\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Composition of the spine<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q2\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Deformities of the spine<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q3\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Causes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q4\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Symptoms and consequences<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q5\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Screening methods<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/screening-and-early-intervention-for-spinal-deformities#q6\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Interventions<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"caps\"><\/br><br \/>\nLifestyle-related ailments are increasingly on the rise since the 1990s. With economic and industrial progress come changes in lifestyle and its obvious consequences \u2013 ailments. A striking example is the modern education system and its consequences on children. An emphasis on studying innumerable subjects and covering vast syllabi means children are spending more time sitting over chairs or benches in schools for long periods of time. Further, with most children hooked to devices currently, they are again sitting hunched over devices at home, which compound the problem.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, more and more children are showing less movement and wrong postures resulting in a spurt of skeletomuscular and spinal deformities from a young age.<\/p>\n<p>According to <strong>spinal surgeons<\/strong>, the problem is a lot more common than previously estimated. In the US alone, six million children and in the UK, 2 to 3% of children between 10 and 16 years of age suffer from spinal deformities. Early screening and intervention can correct or overcome the consequences of these deformities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"also-read\">Also Read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/paediatric-scoliosis\/\">Paediatric Scoliosis<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"q1\">Composition of the spine<\/h2>\n<p>The spine is a complex and sophisticated region of the human body. It\u2019s made of a chain of bones called vertebrae. Flat, inter-vertebral discs separate one vertebra from another thereby preventing collision between them. Nerves and nerve endings emerge from and run all along the spine and around it. Finally, several ligaments, tendons and soft tissue surround the spinal column which provide support and facilitate easy and flexible movement of the spine.<\/p>\n<p>When seen from the side, the spine should show a slight curvature, which is healthy and is indicative of its flexibility and efficient transmission of body weight. When seen from the back, the spine should appear like a straight line from the neck downwards to the lower back. In some children however, the curvature becomes more prominent leading to spinal deformity. The curvature can be side-to-side or three dimensional.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q2\">Deformities of the spine<\/h2>\n<h3>The 3 prominent deformities are:<\/h3>\n<p>\u2022 Lordosis: Also called swayback, in this case, the spine of a person curves inward at the lower back more than normal<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Kyphosis: In this type, the person shows an abnormally rounded upper back, with the curvature being as severe as 50 degrees in some cases<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Scoliosis: In this type, the person shows a sideways curvature of the spine, which can either be S-shaped or C-shaped.<\/p>\n<p>These conditions can be congenital: present since birth, adolescent: developed during early teenage, or idiopathic: of unknown cause . It is possible to manage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/Centers-of-Excellence-and-Specialties\/Spine-Surgery\">spinal deformities<\/a> successfully.<\/p>\n<div class=\"also-read\">Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/tips-to-prevent-lower-back-pain\/\">Tips to prevent lower back pain<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"q3\">Causes<\/h2>\n<p>The causes for developing spinal deformities are wide-ranging. An accident or spinal injury in childhood, childhood obesity, wrong posture such as slouching, and genetic factors or a family member having the ailment are all possible causes. Conditions such as Scheuermann&#8217;s disease, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Discitis, Achondroplasia and Spondylolisthesis are significant risk factors for spinal deformities. Spinal conditions such as spina bifida, a birth defect, spinal infections and spinal tumours are also possible causes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q4\">Symptoms and consequences<\/h2>\n<p>The patient may show or suffer from any of the below:<br \/>\n\u2022 Head is not centred with the rest of the body<br \/>\n\u2022 Uneven waistline<br \/>\n\u2022 Uneven shoulder heights<br \/>\n\u2022 Hunched back<br \/>\n\u2022 Back pain<br \/>\n\u2022 Tilted pelvis<br \/>\n\u2022 Walking difficulties<br \/>\n\u2022 Breathing difficulties<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the physical symptoms, the psychological burden of these deformities can be considerable. Children with these deformities may suffer from poor self-image; depression and anxiety, requiring constant care, monitoring and professional help as well.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q5\">Screening methods<\/h2>\n<p>Parents and teachers are always the first to notice the signs of these deformities. The way the child sits or walks, is a clear indication of the problem. Parents should not dismiss the issue and must consult a pediatric orthopaedic specialist or a <strong>spinal surgeon<\/strong> at the earliest.<\/p>\n<p>The specialist will arrange one or more of these to know the severity of the problem: X-rays, EOS imaging, MRI scan,, CT scan, Bone scan or DEXA scan, Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, Ultrasound, Pulmonary function tests, and Blood tests.<\/p>\n<div class=\"also-read\">Also Read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/spine\/how-should-you-care-for-your-spinal-cord\/\">How should you care for your spinal cord?<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"q6\">Interventions<\/h2>\n<p>Non-surgical interventions: These include back braces, halo vests and an assortment of bracing devices as the first remedy. These devices immobilize the child&#8217;s spine in an attempt to stop progression of the spinal curve and also control the pain. Bracing is a quite successful and time-tested intervention. It can help delay and in some cases avoid the need for surgical interventions.<\/p>\n<p>Surgical interventions: These factor in the growth and skeletal maturity of the child and are longer-term procedures.<\/p>\n<p>These are aimed at permanently stabilizing the spine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 Spinal Fusion:<\/strong> Here, the bones in the back are joined with pieces of bone taken from the hip or pelvis. Then, metal rods are inserted to hold the spinal column while the grafting heals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 Growing rods:<\/strong> Two, expandable metal rods are inserted below the spine, one above and one below the curve. Every six months, the rods are expanded using magnets, at a clinic<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 VEPTR:<\/strong> In growing children, the spinal curve may squeeze the ribs and affect development of the lungs. The lungs may not get enough air. In this procedure, vertical expanding prosthetic titanium ribs (VEPTR) are inserted inside the rib cage to help the lungs grow normally.<\/p>\n<p>For comprehensive spinal care, you can visit <strong>Kauvery Hospital<\/strong> and its branches in <strong>Chennai, Trichy, Hosur, Salem, and Tirunelveli<\/strong>. Their spine specialists are well-equipped to provide the necessary consultations, treatments, and lifestyle recommendations tailored to your child&#8217;s needs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.<\/p>\n<p>Chennai \u2013 044 4000 6000 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Cantonment \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Heartcity \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Tennur \u2013 0431 4022555 \u2022 Maa Kauvery Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Hosur \u2013 04344 272727 \u2022 Salem \u2013 0427 2677777 \u2022 Tirunelveli &#8211; 0462 4006000 \u2022 Bengaluru &#8211; 080 6801 6801<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Content Composition of the spine Deformities of the spine Causes Symptoms and consequences Screening methods Interventions Lifestyle-related ailments are increasingly on the rise since the 1990s. With economic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10750,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[74],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2128"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10763,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128\/revisions\/10763"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}