The vertebral column can be divided into three main regions, considering where the vertebrae are located: cervical (top), thoracic (middle), and lumbar (bottom). Today, we are going to specifically discuss lumbar scoliosis, which occurs in the lower region of the spine, between vertebrae L1 and S1, and can cause significant discomfort for the patient.
When I discovered my scoliosis at the age of 11, I had a curve in the thoracic and another one in the lumbar region. With treatment involving a brace and aquatic physiotherapy, we reduced the lumbar curve to almost zero. However, the upper curve compensated and increased significantly. The moment we received this news, we were quite scared. Still, over time, we understood that improving the lumbar curve was a victory, especially considering the surgery I would have to undergo. This is because the lumbar region is one of the most flexible areas of the spine, responsible for many trunk bending movements. In my surgery, this part of the spine was preserved, leaving me with completely unrestricted movements.
But what is lumbar scoliosis?
Just like thoracic scoliosis, lumbar scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column, but in this lower region. Read this comprehensive post I wrote to understand, in a simple way, what scoliosis is.
If you're experiencing lower back pain, notice that one leg is longer than the other, or have hip asymmetry, consult an orthopedic doctor who specializes in spinal issues to check if it's scoliosis, as these are common initial symptoms.
And what causes scoliosis?
Many studies already link scoliosis to genes, but there are still many unanswered questions. Scoliosis can arise in various ways:
Unknown cause: According to the WHO, this is the most common type of scoliosis (representing 80% of cases), and we call it idiopathic (the same type I have). It can appear in childhood (before the age of 3), in youth (between 4 and 10 years old), or in adolescence (after 10 years old), typically during the growth spurt phase. This type of scoliosis tends to progress rapidly and affects seven times more girls than boys.
Congenital: This type of scoliosis is present from birth. It involves three-dimensional deformities of the spine due to abnormalities in vertebral formation, vertebral segmentation, or their combinations, which result from abnormal vertebral development during the fourth to sixth weeks of gestation.
Neuromuscular: Neuromuscular scoliosis is quite complex as it occurs as a result of neurological or muscular disorders that affect the control of the muscles supporting the spine.
What are the treatment options?
The treatment of lumbar scoliosis, like thoracic scoliosis, also varies depending on the severity of the condition. The treatment options are:
Observe: In very mild cases, scoliosis can be observed to monitor its progression. It's important to emphasize that regular and committed follow-up with a doctor is necessary since the curve can increase considerably and quite rapidly, especially in children and adolescents.
Physiotherapy and exercises: Specialized exercises for scoliosis can help stabilize the curve and strengthen the muscles in the area to improve support.
Orthoses: Braces can be worn to provide support and help slow the progression of the curve, especially in growing children and adolescents.
Medication: In some cases, medications are prescribed to relieve pain.
Surgery: In severe or progressive cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the curvature, but it's considered a last resort treatment.
Due to my history of severe and progressive scoliosis, currently, my 14-year-old son is currently monitoring his spine with Dr. Paulo Cavali, an orthopedic specialist in scoliosis. For now, we don't have anything to worry about, as he has a 9-degree curve in the thoracic region and an 8-degree curve in the lumbar region. However, we will monitor it closely until he finishes growing so that if there is any progression, he can be treated at the right time, avoiding a potential worsening.
コメント