Scoliosis in children: diagnosis, symptoms and treatment

Scoliosis in children is one of the most common diseases. It is characterized by a lateral arcuate curvature of the spine, which is accompanied by the twisting of vertebral bodies around its axis. With the progression of the disease there is an irreversible deformation of the ridge, the formation of the costal hump, the skew of the pelvis, the work of the internal organs is disrupted. Children complain of periodic, sometimes prolonged back pain.

Scoliosis in children is congenital. The main causes of its occurrence are defects in the development of the spine.

The acquired form of the disease appears in such cases:

- After the rickets, the so-called rickets scoliosis develops. It appears already in the first years of life.

- Static (functional) scoliosis in children develops after fractures of the lower extremities, with different lengths of legs, flat feet, hip dysplasia, and pelvic distortion.

- In schoolchildren, the disease develops when there is a persistent habit of incorrect posture in the sitting and standing position, which leads to a fixed shortening of the muscles on one side of the trunk and stretching to the other.

- Paralytic scoliosis develops as a consequence of paresis and paralysis. In children this species quickly progresses and a hump is formed.

Age periods of intensive growth and puberty (6-8 years and 10-14 years) are most susceptible to this disease. This is due to the fact that during this period the muscular system does not keep up with the bone system in its development.

Constant examinations by doctors of children in kindergarten and school allow to diagnose scoliosis in children at early stages. Of course, parents can also notice deviations from the norm in the child's bearing. There is an informative test for parents. To inspect it is necessary behind. The child is asked to lean forward, his head at the level of the belt, the shoulder belt is completely relaxed, his arms hang freely. At the same time, the rib asymmetry in the thoracic spine and muscular cushion in the lumbar region are clearly visible, although the costal hump in the vertical position is still invisible. In the standing position, the height of the shoulders is different, the pelvis is skewed, the head is deflected to the side, the triangles of the waist are asymmetric. After additional examinations (radiography and computer optical topography), the orthopedic doctor will put the final diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Treatment of 1 degree of scoliosis (the size of the main arch to 15 degrees) and 2 degrees of scoliosis (up to 30 degrees) is conservative. But at 3 (up to 60 degrees) and 4 degrees of scoliosis (more than 61 degrees), surgical treatment is indicated.

The main methods of treatment are charging with scoliosis, physiotherapy, massage, use of special corsets, therapeutic swimming, 3D correction. The main task is to stop the progression of the spinal deformity, stabilize the achieved correction, improve the respiratory function of the thorax, achieve cosmetic effect, prevent pain syndrome. An individual approach is needed taking into account the characteristics of the disease. In recent years, unconventional methods have been used, yoga with scoliosis is especially popular.

Prophylaxis of the disease begins with birth. Do not put the baby in the pillows. The longer a child crawls, the easier it will be for the spine to carry vertical loads. It is necessary to bring up a persistent habit of keeping your body properly in different positions, encourage moving games and limit the time spent at the computer.