Scoliosis of the first degree: causes and treatment

Worldwide, millions of people suffer from scoliosis. A large percentage falls on adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. This is explained by the fact that at this time in the body there is a sharp jump in bone tissue growth. Adult patients are most often exposed to idiopathic or hereditary scoliosis.

Scoliosis of the first degree is not easy to identify on its own, it is practically invisible. The child does not complain about anything, only the doctor can visually determine the scoliosis, the attentive parents can suspect the ailment.

Signs and symptoms of the disease

Scoliosis 1 degree refers to the initial stage of curvature of the spine. It is localized in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Nowadays this is the most common disease. What are the signs of scoliosis?

On the photo the scoliosis of the first degree is displayed as a stooped back.

A slight asymmetry is hardly discernible. In chest scoliosis, the scapula is asymmetric - one above the other, with the lumbar - the asymmetry of the pelvis, waist is poorly expressed.

At children of early age at a scoliosis asymmetry on legs of dermal folds is appreciable. It should be noted that scoliosis in children is often combined with dysplasia of the hip joints.

Symptoms of scoliosis 1 degree are the following:

• Soreness and discomfort after long walks, playing sports, with any physical exertion.

• Unpleasant sensations with prolonged standing, fast fatigue with this.

Symptomatology is not always expressed. More often the disease in the initial stage proceeds without any noticeable symptoms.

Classification of scoliosis

Scoliosis of the spine is classified according to a number of signs, depending on the course of the disease, the causes, the clinic and the features of the deformity. The following types of disease are distinguished:

• The congenital form. It manifests itself as a result of inadequate intrauterine development, the spinal cord has failed.

• The acquired form can arise under unfavorable conditions: abnormal posture in sitting, various diseases that contributed to the development of muscular and bone tissue - poliomyelitis, rickets, Marfin syndrome, spinal tuberculosis, tumors and trauma. Scoliosis of the spine of the first degree often begins to develop in children due to incorrect posture already in primary school. The acquired scoliosis also includes:

1. Neurogenic form - develops in the presence of some neurological disorders that cause muscle weakness;

2. Static form - develops with disproportion of the lower limbs.

3. Idiopathic scoliosis has no apparent cause. It is 80% of cases.

Stages and types of scoliosis

Scoliosis, developing, goes through several stages.

Scoliosis of the first degree in the child is the easiest stage, there are small deviations. But if the curvature is not given due weight, more complex stages may begin to develop.

The second - the curvature is already noticeable, the hump begins to form.

The last stage - pronounced lesions of the chest, forming a large costous vertebral hump, vertebral mobility becomes insignificant.

There are several types of curvatures, this depends on the configuration:

• One arc of curvature is a C-shaped type.

• Two arcs of curvature - S-shaped type.

• Three arcs of curvature - Z-shaped type.

It should be remembered that even minor deviations, beginning with the initial stage, can lead to severe consequences, severe anomalies, if no measures are taken to treat scoliosis.

The provoking factors

The disease is graded taking into account the angle of the curvature. The simplest is the first stage of the disease. An abnormal process begins with it. Scoliosis of the first degree in degrees has an index of no more than 10. Physicians identify the following factors that lead to this pathology of development of the spine:

• Trauma of the spine and tumor;

• Natural diseases of connective tissue;

• The presence of osteoporosis;

• Violation of posture since childhood;

• Hereditary predisposition;

• Trauma of the pelvis, limbs.

Most often, scoliosis is diagnosed in adolescence, the peak of the disease is from 10 to 15 years. In girls, the disease occurs many times more often. Most likely, because of the fragility of the bones and the weakness of the muscular apparatus. Most often, children have idiopathic scoliosis of the first degree. There are suggestions that its development may be affected by factors such as calcium deficiency, heredity, accelerated growth, as well as violation of posture.

Manifestations of the initial stage

There is a left-sided and right-sided type of scoliosis. And the left-sided scoliosis of the first degree is more common. In this case, complications are revealed in parallel with hemodynamic and respiratory disorders. The initial stage is characterized by the C-shaped spine. Further, the curved arc is gradually formed, so the offset position of the center of gravity is compensated. At the initial stage, the arc is very rarely formed. S-shaped form of the spine to 1 degree can only appear if there are any natural flaws. Most often the thoracic region suffers, while the neck and lower back are involved in the process.

Scoliosis of the thoracic first degree is characterized by lesser clinical manifestations. There is hardly noticeable curvature, rarely - pain in the back. Symptoms are practically absent, and so many parents do not attach importance to a small stoop, a curvature of posture. But it is worth remembering that the first degree is the most important step. The outcome of the disease will depend on whether the treatment has been taken at the right time. Otherwise, the ailment will develop, the spine configuration will change, irreversible processes will begin.

Right-sided scoliosis of the first degree

Scoliosis is divided into left-sided and right-sided because of where the upper corner of the curvature of the spine is directed. This pathology is dangerous not only anatomical violations of the bone structure, but also possible irreversible changes in the work of internal organs.

With right-sided scoliosis, internal organs located on the left side (heart, lungs, digestive glands) are damaged. It is believed that scoliosis of the first degree in childhood is associated with weakness with intensive growth of the musculoskeletal structure. However, there are cases when scoliosis is caused by congenital anomalies of the bone structure and ligaments of the spine. Possible violations:

• Presence of superfluous (rudimentary) vertebrae;

• Individual vertebrae develop abnormally;

• The possibility of splicing adjacent vertebrae;

• Abnormal development in the whole lumbosacral department.

If there are such violations in the spine, the right side of the thoracic region may appear at an early age. By the year of the baby's life, a diagnosis can be made.

Diagnostics

An orthopedic doctor can diagnose a "scoliosis" on the basis of a patient's examination. Each pathological process draws a clinical picture and is the basis for determining the stage of changes occurring in the spine. The doctor pays special attention to the existing asymmetry of the shoulder blades, costal arches and femur bones, as well as to the deviation from the physical axis of the body of the spinal column. Diagnosis is carried out in the following poses:

• Standing position with hands down along the body;

• The patient leans forward about 90 degrees.

To confirm the diagnosis, the patient is referred for radiography of the spine. These measures are sufficient not only to establish an accurate diagnosis, to reveal the degree of the disease, but also to see possible accompanying pathologies.

Methods of treatment

To treat the initial stage of the disease, several methods are used:

• Use of medicines;

• Massage, physiotherapy procedures;

• Exercise therapy;

• Method of physical rehabilitation with the first degree of scoliosis.

If you use only medications, you can not cure scoliosis even at the earliest stage of development. Medications are used in parallel to get rid of pain, to remove possible inflammation. Applied and immunomodulators, calcium preparations. The main role in the treatment of scoliosis of the first degree is played, of course, by gymnastics. It helps to strengthen muscles, stabilize the development of the ridge. But, it is worth considering that overloads can have a negative effect, they will increase the instability of the vertebrae and can accelerate the progression of the disease. The principles of exercise therapy are based on an individual approach to each patient. The greatest effect of treatment is observed with the initial stage of scoliosis. Exercises are developed by doctor LFK, the purpose of employment - to strengthen muscles. Correct the curvature. Engaged in the technique of physical rehabilitation in a large percentage result in the state of their spine in the norm. In addition, it is recommended to perform respiratory gymnastics, go swimming and go for a massage.

Massage

At a scoliosis of the first degree the massage technique is applied especial. The reason is in the nervous tension of the dorsal muscles. From the side that is convex, they are weakened and elongated, from the opposite side of the muscle are unusually tense and shortened. In addition, it is necessary to massage not only the back, but also shoulders, chest, hands, buttocks. Massage improves blood supply, relieves muscle strain. Self-massage for this pathology is contraindicated. It must be done by a specialist. With incorrect movements, the situation can only worsen and worsen the condition of the vertebrae.

Swimming. Training apparatus

A very effective method of treating scoliosis is swimming. Movements must be cautious, dosed, rapid movements and overloads are prohibited. The best option is to take up to 60 minutes a day.

To strengthen the muscles of the back, lessons are recommended on the simulators under the supervision of the instructor. Muscles strengthen, become harder, better hold the spinal column. After 20-30 days of regular training, patients notice that fatigue disappears, it becomes easier to keep your back in an upright position.

In the treatment of grade 1 scoliosis, physiotherapy is also used. It improves and consolidates the effect of gymnastic training. Physiotherapy includes muscle electrostimulation, electrophoresis, thermal procedures.

Prevention

The main rule of prevention of scoliosis is proper posture, always a straight back.

To keep the muscles in the right position, you need to constantly engage, strengthen the back muscles. The nutrition in this case should also be correct, rich in proteins and vitamins of group B.

Some orthopedists advise in the case of scoliosis to wear special corsets. The question is controversial. With the constant wearing of such a holder comes the hypodynamia of the muscles, they become lazy and weak. Use the corset is only necessary when the load, as needed, up to several hours a day.

More often pay attention to physical development, only the right exercises will bring your spine a real benefit.

Regularly visit an orthopedic doctor. He will monitor the progress of the disease and adjust the treatment system.