Surprising facts you need to know about adult scoliosis

5 facts to know about spinal curvature in adults
When a healthy spine is viewed from behind, all the vertebrae are aligned in the same direction. However, when this alignment is abnormally curved to the right or left for any reason, this is called “scoliosis” (curvature of the spine). Spinal curvature is an important health problem affecting many different age groups. In particular, the negative effects it can have on the daily life of the person, the decrease in the quality of life and the aesthetic concerns it creates in the person require that spinal curvatures should be treated without delay. There are many underlying factors in spinal curvatures diagnosed in adulthood. Curvature that occurs at an earlier age may be diagnosed in adulthood, or spinal curvatures may occur in adulthood for various reasons, even though the person has never had a curvature before. Many factors such as the causes of the problem, the person’s physical condition, age and other accompanying diseases determine the way to go in the treatment of adult scoliosis. When first diagnosed, many people may be worried because they have less information about the subject. However, having knowledge in the treatment of adult scoliosis will also bring strength. Here are 5 interesting facts that we think will help you in your treatment of adult scoliosis….

1. 1. Surgery is not the first option for treating adult scoliosis
      A person diagnosed with scoliosis in adulthood fears that surgery will be the only option for treatment and that they will undergo major surgery as soon as they are diagnosed. However, this is not the case. Only a very small proportion of scoliosis patients require surgery. Non-surgical methods are primarily used in treatment. In this way, it is possible to keep the symptoms under control in the majority of patients. In the treatment of adult scoliosis, various physical therapy methods are applied in the presence of a physical therapist to strengthen and stabilize the spine. At the same time, medication is used to control pain. If necessary, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be added to the treatment to relieve irritation and inflammation in the facet joints or as a result of nerve compression. Surgery may be considered in people who do not respond to all these treatments and whose curvature continues to increase or whose pain cannot be relieved.

1. 1. The location and size of the curvature of the spine do not determine the symptoms
      The spine also deteriorates with age. As the spine gradually weakens, curvature develops. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others complain of leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, especially when walking, or back pain. Over time, these disorders of the spine can cause one vertebra to slip forward (spondylolisthesis) or backward (retrolisthesis) in relation to the vertebra below it and can play a role in increasing the patient’s complaints and nerve compression. However, the symptoms are different for each patient. Therefore, in the treatment of scoliosis, the patient’s history and symptoms are evaluated separately and a patient-specific treatment approach is determined.

1. 1. Adults may have one of two forms of scoliosis
      There are two main causes of adult scoliosis. The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis, which starts in childhood or adolescence and continues to progress in adulthood. In adult idiopathic scoliosis, the underlying cause is not known exactly. It often progresses without any symptoms in the early period and cannot be diagnosed until adulthood. In some cases, as the curve progresses, it causes some symptoms in adulthood. The second most common type of scoliosis in adults is “adult degenerative scoliosis”. Degenerative scoliosis, which occurs as a result of the deterioration of the spine with aging, is most common in the lumbar region.

1. 1. Smoking causes lower back and back problems and negatively affects treatment
      People who are treated for scoliosis in adulthood should also pay attention to some issues individually. One of the most important of these is quitting smoking. While smoking is shown as a preventable cause of back and neck problems, it also reduces the chance of success in treatment by around 20 percent. Smoking prevents blood circulation and reduces the ability of the tissue to repair itself by experiencing nutritional difficulties. In other words, a rapid wear and tear and biological aging is observed in the tissue. Thus, it becomes difficult to achieve the desired result in treatment.

1. 1. Scoliosis does not prevent you from exercising
      The diagnosis of scoliosis in adults does not mean that the patient’s activities will be restricted. On the contrary, it is possible to prevent or reduce symptoms with exercise programs under the supervision of a specialist. Since exercise will also strengthen the back muscles, it will help to increase the person’s mobility. However, it is also possible for overweight people to lose weight with exercise.