What is idiopathic scoliosis, its symptoms and types

Idiopathic scoliosis is one common form of lateral curvature of the spine. Its frequency among all the forms of pathology is equal to about 80%.

Idiopathic, "without the reasons". Scientists say that there is an etiological factor of the disease, as all the cases of detection are characterized by some common clinical and radiological features.

Peculiarities of the development of the disease

The Disease occurs in children during active growth of the spine: starting with the year and ending with puberty. Curvature common in girls 5 times more often than boys. The typical age span for the appearance of lateral curvature of the spine:

• 5-7 years
• 10-14.

Interestingly, the pathology most often observed in children who have not found deviations from the systems and organs. The curvature is constantly progressing and a very hard cured, so it is easier to prevent at an early stage.

Idiopathic scoliosis, like other forms of the disease, characterized by pathological dislocation of the spine in the frontal plane to the right or left. In the formation of curvature involved several arcs:

• Primary
• secondary.

Primary arc represents the maximum deviation of the vertebral axis with the formation of the top of the curve. It can clearly be seen on x-ray.

Compensatory Secondary arc is formed. To reduce the load on the vertical axis of the body, the body is forced to form an arc adjacent to the primary deployed in the opposite plane. At the same time may form 2 or 3 arc deformation.

It Should be noted that juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, like other forms of the disease, characterized by the twisting of the vertebrae in the vertical plane (rotation). On radiographs of the spine in the frontal projection of such a state is characterized by the asymmetric location of anatomical structures on both sides of the vertebrae.

idiopathic scoliosis of the lumbar spine 1 degree rotation of the vertebral bodies

A Severe form of youthful deformation accompanied by formation of the vertebral hump. Under him there is a protrusion of the thoracic spine posteriorly with the formation of an acute angle that a rosary is visible when viewed from the back.

Thus, it is obvious that the lateral deformation of the spine in youth and adolescence is a complex anatomic structure with a large number of displacements and violations. However, young people presented the vertebrae of cartilaginous structure, so exposed to external influence. These anatomical features enable physicians to effectively correct the incorrect position of the axis of the spine and correct the rotation.

types of infantile curvature of the spine

Infantile idiopathic scoliosis, depending on the location and characteristics of external deformation is divided into the following types:

• Breast – the most common location of the scoliotic arc in boys and children. Usually the tip of the curvature is at the level of Th8-Th10 (8 to 10 thoracic vertebrae). The process involved about 7 of the lower vertebrae. In most cases, the arc of curvature is offset to the right. Above and below are formed of compensatory arc and torsional displacement. Special hazard this form is due to impairment of the lungs and heart;
• Cervical-thoracic curvature has a peak in the region of Th3-Th4. Scoliosis this localization is innate. For cervico-thoracic deformities typical cosmetic defects of the face due to the different distances between the shoulder girdle and face;
• of the Thoracolumbar curvature is characterized by a peak in the region of Th11-Th12. Thus, secondary arc curvature is located at the level of the lumbar spine, forming specific clinic of pain in the lower back;
• Lumbar scoliosis on x-ray is characterized by the arc in the field of L1 and L2. Sometimes the deformity of the involved lower thoracic vertebrae. It should be noted that unlike the thoracolumbar curvature, in this condition the pain is only observed at 3 and 4 degrees (when the angle at the vertex of more than 25 degrees).

depending on the morphological features of the scoliotic deformity idiopathic type of the disease is classified into:

• S-shaped
• Z-type
• C-shaped.

If the vertical axis of the trunk is curved in the form of the letter "S" appears specific offset of the internal organs. Usually the curvature is more pronounced in the thoracic region, which is accompanied by pathological changes in the thorax, pulmonary and cardiac insufficiency (grade 3 and 4 scoliosis).

Clinical symptoms

When first and second degreedisease (the angle at the apex of the curvature does not exceed 25 degrees) are observed "light" symptoms. They are caused by the displacement of the chest organs. Because the intercostal spaces are of different width, violations of respiratory function. In rare cases, it may be intercostal neuralgia (girdle pain in the chest area from the side of the lesion).

The Symptoms of severe forms of lateral curvature:

• Neurological syndromes (loss of skin sensitivity, restriction of limb movements)
• Secondary organ pathology (pulmonary fibrosis, "scoliotic heart, increase blood pressure").

Pulmonary Fibrosis is the overgrowth of non-functional connective tissue in the lungs, which violates the functionality of the lungs.

Heart scoliotic characterized by pathology of the right ventricle on the background of compression of the chest deformation.

With the development of heart and lung failure patients will have congestive changes in other organs:

• Edema of lower extremities
• enlarged liver and spleen;
• Congestive gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)
• Chronic bronchitis.

On the background deformation of the vertebrae occurs displacement of the intervertebral disc with the formation of the protrusion, or hernia.

Thus, juvenile idiopathic scoliosis is accompanied by numerous pathological reactions in the body. Effectively to cure it at early stages. In a running situation, you can only prevent the terrible consequences of the disease.