The SpineHCT I

The Spine•The spine is

composed of different sections that are connected in such a way that they form a flexible curved rod. There are three sections of the spine

Parts of the vertebrae

Curves of the spine•There are four

natural curves to the spine.

•Cervical and Lumbar- Concave

•Thoracic and sacral- Convex

Importance of curves•Provide strength- Curved structures are

stronger than straight structures (look at a bridge)

•Necessary for balance

•If you think about it our spine supports our▫Head ▫Ribs▫Hips and legs attached to it below

Curvature of the spine•Poor posture can or disease can lead to

swayback or lordosis.

Curvature of the spine•Abnormal thoracic curvature is Kyphosis

or hunchback

Curvature of the spine•Abnormal side to side curvature is known

as scoliosis.

Scoliosis treatment• The goal of treatment for scoliosis is to prevent the

spinal curve from getting worse and to correct or stabilize a severe spinal curve. Fortunately, few people who have spinal curves require treatment.

• The type of treatment depends on the cause of scoliosis. Scoliosis that is caused by another condition (nonstructural scoliosis) usually improves when the condition, such as muscle spasms or a difference in leg length, is treated. Scoliosis that is caused by a disease or by an unknown factor (structural scoliosis) is more likely than nonstructural scoliosis to need treatment

Treatments

• Nonsurgical treatment. This includes either routine exams by a doctor to check for any curve progression or the use of a brace to stop a spinal curve from getting worse. Children typically have these check-ups about every 4 to 6 months. Adults are usually checked about once each year.

• Surgical treatment. Surgery can be used to insert implants to hold the spine in place or fuse the spine together so that the curve cannot get worse.

• Treatment is based on the age of the person, the size of the curve, and the risk of progression. The risk of progression is based on age at diagnosis, the size of the curve (as measured using X-rays of the spine and skeletal age.