![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/51292322_m.jpeg\")
<\/strong>Healthy spines have curves in all the right places.<\/h2>\nWhen viewed from the side, the healthy spine has three c-shaped curves that create a slight \u201cs\u201d shape.<\/p>\n
The first curvature includes the seven vertebrae extending from the base of the skull to the shoulders to create the cervical spine. The next 12 vertebrae connect to the rib cage and protect the heart and lungs. The reversed c-curve in this section is called the thoracic spine. The five vertebrae at the base of the spine form the lumbar region. The vertebrae in this third section c-shaped section are the strongest and carry most the body\u2019s weight.<\/p>\n
Below the lumbar spine are the sacrum and the coccyx which creates the tailbone. The tailbone curves toward the inside of the body.<\/p>\n
The c-curves stack in a vertical line. When viewing the backbone from the back of the body, it has a straight appearance.<\/p>\n
Standing straight means standing tall.<\/strong><\/h3>\nWith three interdependent c-curves in the spine, it\u2019s impossible to stand with a straight spine.<\/p>\n
When people \u201cstand up straight,\u201d it means they are standing tall with proper posture. In this position, you can draw an imaginary straight line from the ears to the ankles. If a person stood tall with correct posture and backed up against a wall, the base of thoracic spine and tailbone would touch the wall. But the lumbar spine would curve a finger\u2019s width away from the wall.<\/p>\n
The gentle c-curves of the spine allow free movement and support throughout the body.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/66542467_s.jpeg\")
<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nBut sometimes curves grow sideways or in reverse.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nSpinal curvatures become problematic when they grow sideways and create a horizontal s-shape when viewed from the back.<\/p>\n
Scoliosis\u00a0<\/strong>causes curvature of the spine. The onset of scoliosis usually occurs between 10 and 16 years of age. The condition causes the vertebrae to turn and rotate making the hips, waist, and shoulders appear uneven. More common in girls and young women than in males, there is no definitive cause for scoliosis. In fact, over 90 percent of scoliosis cases have no known cause. Poor posture, pregnancy, and environmental factors may be factors in some abnormal curvatures.<\/p>\nThere are a few causes of abnormal spine curvatures that orthopedic specialists have been able to diagnose.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dowager\u2019s Hump or hunchback<\/strong>\u00a0is another form of curvature. The condition known as kyphosis increases the curve of the upper section of the thoracic spine, pushing the head forward and rounding the back at the shoulders and base of the neck. Poor posture and osteoporosis are significant causes of the dowager\u2019s hump.<\/p>\nPeople who suffer from a dowager\u2019s hump or hunchback walk and stand in a stooped position. The condition prevents them from standing upright.<\/p>\n
Another area affected by irregular curvature is the lumbar spine. Besides curving sideways, the lumbar is susceptible to too much or not enough angle in its curvature. Both conditions can cause debilitating pain.<\/p>\n
The recent explosion in smartphones, tablets, and laptops has a direct correlation to the number of abnormal spinal curvatures affecting the cervical spine.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/81564181_s.jpeg\")
Texting, typing, and scrolling cause people to bend their necks to view the screens in their hands or on their laps. This positioning has caused a condition known as Tech Neck or Text Neck.\u00a0<\/strong>In moderate cases, the natural c-shaped curve in the neck straightens. In severe cases, the c-curve reverses. These abnormal curvatures cause pain and limited movement.<\/p>\nTreatment for the pain and mobility issues associated with spinal curvatures that are not caused by arthritis or disc-related problems vary based on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures cause other health conditions.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nBack pain is the most common symptom of a moderate to severe curvatures of the spine.<\/p>\n
Since the spine supports the entire body, abnormal curves interrupt the weight-bearing design of the spine to create pressure points and uneven weight distribution. Some people report muscle fatigue when they use the muscles surrounding the curvature.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures can interfere with spinal cord function. The spinal cord transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body through an intricate neurological system. As the backbone curves to side, it can pinch the spinal cord and cause pain, pressure, or loss of sensation as it compresses the nerves.<\/p>\n
In severe cases, the spinal curvatures constrict the chest and reduce lung capacity. Left untreated, an abnormal curve in the thoracic area can cause restrictive lung disease.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What is the treatment for scoliosis or spinal curvatures?
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nTreatment for vertical curvatures may include core-strengthening exercises or braces. The lateral or sideways spinal bends, such as scoliosis, often require physical therapy, therapeutic braces, or in severe cases, surgery.<\/p>\n
An orthopedic specialist should watch curve angles less than 20 degrees in young patients every 6 months.<\/p>\n
Curve angles 25 to 45 degrees often need braces, which may stabilize the curves and force the spine to straighten. Braces are an effective treatment for children whose bones are still growing. Most surgeons prefer to treat the symptoms of moderate scoliosis with braces, exercises, and physical therapy, which can strengthen and retrain supporting muscles and relieve pain. Sometimes, physical therapy minimizes the appearance of the condition, improves function, and eases breathing.<\/p>\n
Patients who have curvatures greater than 45 degrees may need surgical correction. During surgery, the surgeon uses bone grafts and orthopedic hardware to straighten the spine. The surgeon may place rods, hooks, screws, or wires in the bones to hold the spine in the correct position. After the spine heals, most people walk and move normally.<\/p>\n
If there is too much damage to the vertebrae, the surgical team may recommend spinal fusion to keep the vertebrae in place. This surgical option is often the last treatment choice<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/60586948_s.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Early curvature detection leads to the best outcomes.<\/h2>\n
Like other medical conditions, treatment of scoliosis and other abnormal curvatures is more successful when found early. Many times, treatment can prevent the curvature from getting worse.<\/p>\n
Early scoliosis detection takes commitment to screening.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the beginning stages, curvatures do not cause pain. Often, the condition remains undetected until later stages when it\u2019s harder to correct. If you have children who are 10 years old and older, conduct scoliosis screenings every few months to detect abnormal spinal changes early.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of abnormal curvatures include:<\/p>\n
\n- Shoulders and hips that appear higher on one side than the other<\/li>\n
- A curve on one side of the waist that does not match the curve on the other side<\/li>\n
- Ribs that appear uneven<\/li>\n
- The person seems to lean to one side when standing or walking<\/li>\n
- The person\u2019s head does not appear to be in the center of the body<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition to a visual assessment, parents can do a quick, painless scoliosis screening at home.<\/p>\n
Ask the young person to bend over in front of you as if he or she is touching her toes. Run your hand down the backbone. Do the vertebrae appear straight or do they curve to the side?<\/p>\n
If the spine curves to either side, contact your primary care provider, pediatrician, or an orthopedic specialist. Your medical provider will order an X-ray to diagnosis the condition before recommending treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-injury-prevention","category-neck-back"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Are you at risk for curvature of the spine? - Bone & Joint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\" \u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. 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With three interdependent c-curves in the spine, it\u2019s impossible to stand with a straight spine.<\/p>\n
When people \u201cstand up straight,\u201d it means they are standing tall with proper posture. In this position, you can draw an imaginary straight line from the ears to the ankles. If a person stood tall with correct posture and backed up against a wall, the base of thoracic spine and tailbone would touch the wall. But the lumbar spine would curve a finger\u2019s width away from the wall.<\/p>\n
The gentle c-curves of the spine allow free movement and support throughout the body.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nBut sometimes curves grow sideways or in reverse.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nSpinal curvatures become problematic when they grow sideways and create a horizontal s-shape when viewed from the back.<\/p>\n
Scoliosis\u00a0<\/strong>causes curvature of the spine. The onset of scoliosis usually occurs between 10 and 16 years of age. The condition causes the vertebrae to turn and rotate making the hips, waist, and shoulders appear uneven. More common in girls and young women than in males, there is no definitive cause for scoliosis. In fact, over 90 percent of scoliosis cases have no known cause. Poor posture, pregnancy, and environmental factors may be factors in some abnormal curvatures.<\/p>\nThere are a few causes of abnormal spine curvatures that orthopedic specialists have been able to diagnose.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dowager\u2019s Hump or hunchback<\/strong>\u00a0is another form of curvature. The condition known as kyphosis increases the curve of the upper section of the thoracic spine, pushing the head forward and rounding the back at the shoulders and base of the neck. Poor posture and osteoporosis are significant causes of the dowager\u2019s hump.<\/p>\nPeople who suffer from a dowager\u2019s hump or hunchback walk and stand in a stooped position. The condition prevents them from standing upright.<\/p>\n
Another area affected by irregular curvature is the lumbar spine. Besides curving sideways, the lumbar is susceptible to too much or not enough angle in its curvature. Both conditions can cause debilitating pain.<\/p>\n
The recent explosion in smartphones, tablets, and laptops has a direct correlation to the number of abnormal spinal curvatures affecting the cervical spine.<\/p>\n
Texting, typing, and scrolling cause people to bend their necks to view the screens in their hands or on their laps. This positioning has caused a condition known as Tech Neck or Text Neck.\u00a0<\/strong>In moderate cases, the natural c-shaped curve in the neck straightens. In severe cases, the c-curve reverses. These abnormal curvatures cause pain and limited movement.<\/p>\nTreatment for the pain and mobility issues associated with spinal curvatures that are not caused by arthritis or disc-related problems vary based on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures cause other health conditions.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nBack pain is the most common symptom of a moderate to severe curvatures of the spine.<\/p>\n
Since the spine supports the entire body, abnormal curves interrupt the weight-bearing design of the spine to create pressure points and uneven weight distribution. Some people report muscle fatigue when they use the muscles surrounding the curvature.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures can interfere with spinal cord function. The spinal cord transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body through an intricate neurological system. As the backbone curves to side, it can pinch the spinal cord and cause pain, pressure, or loss of sensation as it compresses the nerves.<\/p>\n
In severe cases, the spinal curvatures constrict the chest and reduce lung capacity. Left untreated, an abnormal curve in the thoracic area can cause restrictive lung disease.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What is the treatment for scoliosis or spinal curvatures?
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nTreatment for vertical curvatures may include core-strengthening exercises or braces. The lateral or sideways spinal bends, such as scoliosis, often require physical therapy, therapeutic braces, or in severe cases, surgery.<\/p>\n
An orthopedic specialist should watch curve angles less than 20 degrees in young patients every 6 months.<\/p>\n
Curve angles 25 to 45 degrees often need braces, which may stabilize the curves and force the spine to straighten. Braces are an effective treatment for children whose bones are still growing. Most surgeons prefer to treat the symptoms of moderate scoliosis with braces, exercises, and physical therapy, which can strengthen and retrain supporting muscles and relieve pain. Sometimes, physical therapy minimizes the appearance of the condition, improves function, and eases breathing.<\/p>\n
Patients who have curvatures greater than 45 degrees may need surgical correction. During surgery, the surgeon uses bone grafts and orthopedic hardware to straighten the spine. The surgeon may place rods, hooks, screws, or wires in the bones to hold the spine in the correct position. After the spine heals, most people walk and move normally.<\/p>\n
If there is too much damage to the vertebrae, the surgical team may recommend spinal fusion to keep the vertebrae in place. This surgical option is often the last treatment choice<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Early curvature detection leads to the best outcomes.<\/h2>\n
Like other medical conditions, treatment of scoliosis and other abnormal curvatures is more successful when found early. Many times, treatment can prevent the curvature from getting worse.<\/p>\n
Early scoliosis detection takes commitment to screening.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the beginning stages, curvatures do not cause pain. Often, the condition remains undetected until later stages when it\u2019s harder to correct. If you have children who are 10 years old and older, conduct scoliosis screenings every few months to detect abnormal spinal changes early.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of abnormal curvatures include:<\/p>\n
\n- Shoulders and hips that appear higher on one side than the other<\/li>\n
- A curve on one side of the waist that does not match the curve on the other side<\/li>\n
- Ribs that appear uneven<\/li>\n
- The person seems to lean to one side when standing or walking<\/li>\n
- The person\u2019s head does not appear to be in the center of the body<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition to a visual assessment, parents can do a quick, painless scoliosis screening at home.<\/p>\n
Ask the young person to bend over in front of you as if he or she is touching her toes. Run your hand down the backbone. Do the vertebrae appear straight or do they curve to the side?<\/p>\n
If the spine curves to either side, contact your primary care provider, pediatrician, or an orthopedic specialist. Your medical provider will order an X-ray to diagnosis the condition before recommending treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-injury-prevention","category-neck-back"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Are you at risk for curvature of the spine? - Bone & Joint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\" \u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the [...]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/blog\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BoneJointCenter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-09-16T12:53:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-07-28T20:56:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/51292322_m.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Bone & Joint\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/060477b0497dd7f480ae31017d91c858\"},\"headline\":\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine?\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-16T12:53:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-07-28T20:56:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1263,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/07\\\/51292322_m.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Injury Prevention\",\"Neck & Back\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"MedicalWebPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\",\"name\":\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine? 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But sometimes curves grow sideways or in reverse.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nSpinal curvatures become problematic when they grow sideways and create a horizontal s-shape when viewed from the back.<\/p>\n
Scoliosis\u00a0<\/strong>causes curvature of the spine. The onset of scoliosis usually occurs between 10 and 16 years of age. The condition causes the vertebrae to turn and rotate making the hips, waist, and shoulders appear uneven. More common in girls and young women than in males, there is no definitive cause for scoliosis. In fact, over 90 percent of scoliosis cases have no known cause. Poor posture, pregnancy, and environmental factors may be factors in some abnormal curvatures.<\/p>\nThere are a few causes of abnormal spine curvatures that orthopedic specialists have been able to diagnose.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dowager\u2019s Hump or hunchback<\/strong>\u00a0is another form of curvature. The condition known as kyphosis increases the curve of the upper section of the thoracic spine, pushing the head forward and rounding the back at the shoulders and base of the neck. Poor posture and osteoporosis are significant causes of the dowager\u2019s hump.<\/p>\nPeople who suffer from a dowager\u2019s hump or hunchback walk and stand in a stooped position. The condition prevents them from standing upright.<\/p>\n
Another area affected by irregular curvature is the lumbar spine. Besides curving sideways, the lumbar is susceptible to too much or not enough angle in its curvature. Both conditions can cause debilitating pain.<\/p>\n
The recent explosion in smartphones, tablets, and laptops has a direct correlation to the number of abnormal spinal curvatures affecting the cervical spine.<\/p>\n
Texting, typing, and scrolling cause people to bend their necks to view the screens in their hands or on their laps. This positioning has caused a condition known as Tech Neck or Text Neck.\u00a0<\/strong>In moderate cases, the natural c-shaped curve in the neck straightens. In severe cases, the c-curve reverses. These abnormal curvatures cause pain and limited movement.<\/p>\nTreatment for the pain and mobility issues associated with spinal curvatures that are not caused by arthritis or disc-related problems vary based on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures cause other health conditions.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nBack pain is the most common symptom of a moderate to severe curvatures of the spine.<\/p>\n
Since the spine supports the entire body, abnormal curves interrupt the weight-bearing design of the spine to create pressure points and uneven weight distribution. Some people report muscle fatigue when they use the muscles surrounding the curvature.<\/p>\n
Spinal curvatures can interfere with spinal cord function. The spinal cord transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body through an intricate neurological system. As the backbone curves to side, it can pinch the spinal cord and cause pain, pressure, or loss of sensation as it compresses the nerves.<\/p>\n
In severe cases, the spinal curvatures constrict the chest and reduce lung capacity. Left untreated, an abnormal curve in the thoracic area can cause restrictive lung disease.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What is the treatment for scoliosis or spinal curvatures?
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nTreatment for vertical curvatures may include core-strengthening exercises or braces. The lateral or sideways spinal bends, such as scoliosis, often require physical therapy, therapeutic braces, or in severe cases, surgery.<\/p>\n
An orthopedic specialist should watch curve angles less than 20 degrees in young patients every 6 months.<\/p>\n
Curve angles 25 to 45 degrees often need braces, which may stabilize the curves and force the spine to straighten. Braces are an effective treatment for children whose bones are still growing. Most surgeons prefer to treat the symptoms of moderate scoliosis with braces, exercises, and physical therapy, which can strengthen and retrain supporting muscles and relieve pain. Sometimes, physical therapy minimizes the appearance of the condition, improves function, and eases breathing.<\/p>\n
Patients who have curvatures greater than 45 degrees may need surgical correction. During surgery, the surgeon uses bone grafts and orthopedic hardware to straighten the spine. The surgeon may place rods, hooks, screws, or wires in the bones to hold the spine in the correct position. After the spine heals, most people walk and move normally.<\/p>\n
If there is too much damage to the vertebrae, the surgical team may recommend spinal fusion to keep the vertebrae in place. This surgical option is often the last treatment choice<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Early curvature detection leads to the best outcomes.<\/h2>\n
Like other medical conditions, treatment of scoliosis and other abnormal curvatures is more successful when found early. Many times, treatment can prevent the curvature from getting worse.<\/p>\n
Early scoliosis detection takes commitment to screening.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the beginning stages, curvatures do not cause pain. Often, the condition remains undetected until later stages when it\u2019s harder to correct. If you have children who are 10 years old and older, conduct scoliosis screenings every few months to detect abnormal spinal changes early.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of abnormal curvatures include:<\/p>\n
\n- Shoulders and hips that appear higher on one side than the other<\/li>\n
- A curve on one side of the waist that does not match the curve on the other side<\/li>\n
- Ribs that appear uneven<\/li>\n
- The person seems to lean to one side when standing or walking<\/li>\n
- The person\u2019s head does not appear to be in the center of the body<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition to a visual assessment, parents can do a quick, painless scoliosis screening at home.<\/p>\n
Ask the young person to bend over in front of you as if he or she is touching her toes. Run your hand down the backbone. Do the vertebrae appear straight or do they curve to the side?<\/p>\n
If the spine curves to either side, contact your primary care provider, pediatrician, or an orthopedic specialist. Your medical provider will order an X-ray to diagnosis the condition before recommending treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-injury-prevention","category-neck-back"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Are you at risk for curvature of the spine? - Bone & Joint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\" \u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the [...]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/blog\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BoneJointCenter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-09-16T12:53:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-07-28T20:56:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bonejoint.net\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/51292322_m.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bone & Joint\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Bone & Joint\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/060477b0497dd7f480ae31017d91c858\"},\"headline\":\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine?\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-16T12:53:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-07-28T20:56:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1263,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/07\\\/51292322_m.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Injury Prevention\",\"Neck & Back\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"MedicalWebPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/bonejoint.net\\\/old\\\/blog\\\/are-you-at-risk-for-curvature-of-the-spine\\\/\",\"name\":\"Are you at risk for curvature of the spine? 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He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. 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There are a few causes of abnormal spine curvatures that orthopedic specialists have been able to diagnose.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Dowager\u2019s Hump or hunchback<\/strong>\u00a0is another form of curvature. The condition known as kyphosis increases the curve of the upper section of the thoracic spine, pushing the head forward and rounding the back at the shoulders and base of the neck. Poor posture and osteoporosis are significant causes of the dowager\u2019s hump.<\/p>\n People who suffer from a dowager\u2019s hump or hunchback walk and stand in a stooped position. The condition prevents them from standing upright.<\/p>\n Another area affected by irregular curvature is the lumbar spine. Besides curving sideways, the lumbar is susceptible to too much or not enough angle in its curvature. Both conditions can cause debilitating pain.<\/p>\n The recent explosion in smartphones, tablets, and laptops has a direct correlation to the number of abnormal spinal curvatures affecting the cervical spine.<\/p>\n Treatment for the pain and mobility issues associated with spinal curvatures that are not caused by arthritis or disc-related problems vary based on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n Back pain is the most common symptom of a moderate to severe curvatures of the spine.<\/p>\n Since the spine supports the entire body, abnormal curves interrupt the weight-bearing design of the spine to create pressure points and uneven weight distribution. Some people report muscle fatigue when they use the muscles surrounding the curvature.<\/p>\n Spinal curvatures can interfere with spinal cord function. The spinal cord transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body through an intricate neurological system. As the backbone curves to side, it can pinch the spinal cord and cause pain, pressure, or loss of sensation as it compresses the nerves.<\/p>\n In severe cases, the spinal curvatures constrict the chest and reduce lung capacity. Left untreated, an abnormal curve in the thoracic area can cause restrictive lung disease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Treatment for vertical curvatures may include core-strengthening exercises or braces. The lateral or sideways spinal bends, such as scoliosis, often require physical therapy, therapeutic braces, or in severe cases, surgery.<\/p>\n An orthopedic specialist should watch curve angles less than 20 degrees in young patients every 6 months.<\/p>\n Curve angles 25 to 45 degrees often need braces, which may stabilize the curves and force the spine to straighten. Braces are an effective treatment for children whose bones are still growing. Most surgeons prefer to treat the symptoms of moderate scoliosis with braces, exercises, and physical therapy, which can strengthen and retrain supporting muscles and relieve pain. Sometimes, physical therapy minimizes the appearance of the condition, improves function, and eases breathing.<\/p>\n Patients who have curvatures greater than 45 degrees may need surgical correction. During surgery, the surgeon uses bone grafts and orthopedic hardware to straighten the spine. The surgeon may place rods, hooks, screws, or wires in the bones to hold the spine in the correct position. After the spine heals, most people walk and move normally.<\/p>\n If there is too much damage to the vertebrae, the surgical team may recommend spinal fusion to keep the vertebrae in place. This surgical option is often the last treatment choice<\/p>\n Like other medical conditions, treatment of scoliosis and other abnormal curvatures is more successful when found early. Many times, treatment can prevent the curvature from getting worse.<\/p>\n Early scoliosis detection takes commitment to screening. In the beginning stages, curvatures do not cause pain. Often, the condition remains undetected until later stages when it\u2019s harder to correct. If you have children who are 10 years old and older, conduct scoliosis screenings every few months to detect abnormal spinal changes early.<\/p>\n Symptoms of abnormal curvatures include:<\/p>\n In addition to a visual assessment, parents can do a quick, painless scoliosis screening at home.<\/p>\n Ask the young person to bend over in front of you as if he or she is touching her toes. Run your hand down the backbone. Do the vertebrae appear straight or do they curve to the side?<\/p>\n If the spine curves to either side, contact your primary care provider, pediatrician, or an orthopedic specialist. Your medical provider will order an X-ray to diagnosis the condition before recommending treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cYou need to walk straight,\u201d Randy said. \u201cYou walk like this. He lowered his right shoulder and collapsed his rib cage to his hip. “Why don\u2019t you stand up straight!\u201d\u00a0Randy did not understand that a spinal deformity, not slouching habit, caused Kate\u2019s uneven gait.\u00a0Since her spinal curvature didn\u2019t cause pain, Kate was unaware her body listed to the left when she walked. Now, it was a concern. Healthy spines have curves in all the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-injury-prevention","category-neck-back"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTexting, typing, and scrolling cause people to bend their necks to view the screens in their hands or on their laps. This positioning has caused a condition known as Tech Neck or Text Neck.\u00a0<\/strong>In moderate cases, the natural c-shaped curve in the neck straightens. In severe cases, the c-curve reverses. These abnormal curvatures cause pain and limited movement.<\/p>\nSpinal curvatures cause other health conditions.
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhat is the treatment for scoliosis or spinal curvatures?
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nEarly curvature detection leads to the best outcomes.<\/h2>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n