Left-side scoliosis can occur due to several reasons. Sometimes a curvature of the spine - a congenital pathology. Causes of acquired scoliosis is not always possible to install. Depending on the severity of the disease have identified a number of degrees. Warping may occur in different parts of the spinal column. In mild cases, the disease is treated conservatively, and in serious condition person performing surgery.

Why is there a left-sided scoliosis

Scoliosis can be congenital or acquired. Congenital scoliosis is associated with disorders of the spine. For example, it occurs when there is extra rib or vertebrae, the transverse processes of the anomalies, spina bifida, or merger and the formation of the wedge-shaped vertebrae. Congenital scoliosis is much rarer than the acquisition.

In many cases, the exact cause of the Acquired scoliosis is unknown. Such form of the disease is called idiopathic. Girls suffer from this disease are several times more likely. Idiopathic scoliosis starts and progresses in periods of intensive growth of the skeleton.

In some cases, the causes curvature of the spine known. Scoliosis can emerge:

• Against the background of neuromuscular pathology, that is, cerebral palsy, spinal cerebellar degeneration, tumors, and injuries of the spinal cord, syringomyelia, poliomyelitis and spinal muscular atrophy. Also, curvature of the spine occurs in muscular dystrophy, congenital hypotonia and dystrophic myotonia;
• In the pathology of the connective tissue (eg, Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome);
• Against the background of osteomyelitis;
• When juvenile rheumatoid arthritis;
• Against the background of neurofibromatosis;
• In traumatic deformities after fractures or surgery;
• Against the background of contractures (restriction of movement) non-vertebral localization, for example, after burns or a collection of pus in the natural cavities of the body;
• When metabolic disturbances (rickets, homocystinuria, osteogenesis imperfecta);
• Against the background of tumors of the spinal cord and spinal column;
• In the pathology of joints between the sacrum and lumbar vertebrae.

Types and symptoms of scoliosis

If scoliosis is first formed primary arc, and then the spine is curved above and below its location. Thus formed the secondary arc curvature.

Depending on the location of the arc are several types of diseases. Cervicothoracic scoliosis - a serious condition in which the curvature of the arc is formed at the level of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae. This state has a great influence on the appearance of a person: the patient expressed asymmetry of the body, and sometimes even the face.

Left-sided thoracic scoliosis less common than right-handed. The arc is formed at the level of the seventh to tenth thoracic vertebrae.

• If the top of the arc is located at the level of the eleventh and twelfth thoracic vertebrae, it is formed with the same frequency right-hand and left thoracolumbar scoliosis.
• When the primary arc is formed at the level of the second and first lumbar vertebrae, usually develops left-sided lumbar scoliosis. Compensatory arc usually are mild.

Left-side scoliosis Scoliosis - when the spine is curved   the lumbar rarely accompanied by serious violations. The patient can learn about such distortion during the test accident, as this condition is not accompanied by severe symptoms.

• The severity of disease was determined by X-ray of the spine. Left-sided scoliosis of 1 degree is characterized by the angle of the primary curvature of up to ten degrees. Left-sided thoracic scoliosis of 1 degree is accompanied by a stoop, the asymmetry of the waist, one shoulder is higher than the other.
• Left-sided scoliosis of 2 degrees Scoliosis 2 degrees - correction of spinal deformity   manifest asymmetry waist, shoulder blades, shoulders and neck contours, basin becomes a beveled. Sometimes there are pains in the back. On radiographs determined the angle to twenty-five degrees.
• When scoliosis third-degree angle of curvature shall not exceed fifty degrees. Deformation is accompanied by constant back pain. Characteristically protrusion of the ribs and the weakening of the abdominal muscles.
• At the fourth degree of the disease is detected angle of curvature of more than fifty degrees. The spine is severely deformed, the muscles in the area of ​​curvature is strongly stretched. The ribs on the one hand sink, and on the other - formed rib hump.

Therapies

The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Left-lumbar scoliosis of 1 degree Scoliosis 1 degree - can be eliminated completely   and left-sided thoracolumbar scoliosis Thoracolumbar scoliosis - a threat to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems   1 point if there is no rotation (rotation around its axis vertebra) are treated with special gymnastics.

In the second severity, presence of rotation and with the progression of disease using special corsets, minimum while wearing them - sixteen hours a day. It conducts specialized intensive exercises. With conservative treatment can achieve in adolescents complete correction of posture, if they comply with all recommendations of the physician.

If it formed a left-sided scoliosis treatment by conservative methods which do not lead to positive results, and the angle of curvature of more than forty degrees, require surgery. Thus spine is straightened by means of special metal structures or autograft (patient's own bone material).

The incision may perform the operations in the front (side along ribs) or the posterior approach (in the midline of the torso and on one of the wings of the pelvic bones). Operative fixation prevents further progression of the disease. Usually, if the curvature is formed during adolescence, surgery is not considered necessary by.

If signs of scoliosis need to see a specialist. The doctor after survey will choose the tactics of treatment and give necessary recommendations.

Treatment of spinal herniation away from being called a standardized - methods selected depending on the individual patient, his general state of health, occupation, and so on. Fortunately, in most cases, for the treatment of spinal hernias do not require surgery. Pain, numbness, weakness and other symptoms associated with this disorder usually go through 4-6 months after onset.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which patients healing occurs without intervention, and who is not. Therefore, in most cases, the patient is first administered nonsurgical treatments.

Nonsurgical treatment

In the treatment of spinal hernias may apply a combination of the following means and methods:

• Anesthetics; e.g., NSAIDs reduce inflammation and pain, muscle relaxants eliminate spasms; narcotic painkillers can relieve extreme pain (you can buy them only by prescription).
• The use of hot and cold compresses, especially during the first 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms.
• Physiotherapy: massage, exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the back. They reduce pain and increase the flexibility of the spine.
• Epidural injection of anti-inflammatory drugs help patients with severe pain.

Surgical treatment

If, after non-surgical treatment for a few weeks, the patient continues to experience severe pain, or if there are symptoms of neurological deficit (eg weakness of the calf muscles) may be assigned to surgery.

Generally, during the operation, the surgeon removes the damaged intervertebral disc fully or partially. This is called a discectomy. The idea of ​​the removal of the vertebral column may frighten the patient, but in practice, this procedure takes place with the use of minimally invasive techniques, making it safe enough. This made small incisions and primenyutsya special technologies, such as microscopes and endoscopes (relatively speaking, very small video camera).

After this operation the patient recovers much faster than after surgery using conventional techniques, since the muscle injury and hemorrhage are minimized.

Spinal fusion is rarely necessary when a patient first treats herniated spine. Sometimes the space remaining between the two vertebrae, yet bone graft is inserted - typically a small piece of bone, which is taken from the thigh of the patient. The bone graft is used to connect the vertebrae. In some cases, this also apply special rods and screws.

Restoration

If surgery was minimally invasive and is successful, the patient can get out of bed on the same day when it was held. If no complications the patient can go home within 24 hours after surgery. If the operation was more invasive, the patient will have to stay in the hospital for several days.

Before you leave your doctor may recommend painkillers patient - within a few days after surgery, the patient may experience more or less pain.

House for a few days the patient will have to rest, gradually increasing the level of activity in accordance with the instructions received from the doctor. Term of returning to normal life depends on the condition of each patient individually. When any alarm symptoms in the postoperative period should call your doctor. The recovery period is an important step in the treatment of spinal hernias, which heavily depends on its success.