Scoliosis of the spine: causes and treatments

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Extract from the article: In childhood or adolescence, some people develop deformities of the back. These deformities, caused by a twisting of the vertebrae, are called scoliosis. Although it is not a very complex disease, when it is quickly discovered and depending on the or

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In childhood or adolescence, some people develop deformities of the back. These deformities, caused by a twisting of the vertebrae, are called scoliosis. Although it is not a very complex disease, when it is quickly discovered and depending on the origin or cause, treatment is easier. To better understand the disease, physiotherapist Innocent Lakna, Director of the National Orthopaedic Fitting Centre (CNAO-Lomé), discusses its causes, consequences and how it is treated.

Scoliosis causes a lot of people to suffer. It refers to an ailment caused by a deviation of the spine due to a torsion of the vertebrae. In simpler language, Innocent Lakna, Director of the CNAO, explains that scoliosis occurs when « the spine is bent to the right or to the left with or without the appearance of a slight hump when the person is viewed from the back ». According to the physiotherapist, there are various types of scoliosis. These are: idiopathic scoliosis, which is the most common, especially in young adolescents, congenital scoliosis at birth, syndromic scoliosis of neuromuscular origin, secondary scoliosis contracted as a result of trauma, infection or cancer, so-called de Novo scoliosis, which is caused by degeneration of the spine with age, and attitudinal scoliosis, which is caused by preferential positioning due to pain. There is a difference between scoliosis and scoliotic attitude.

According to Innocent Lakna, among the signs of scoliosis in adolescence, « there is pain in the back. The physical aspect of the upper body is often deformed. As a result, there are spontaneous muscle contractions in the back. A tendency to lean to the side ».

Causes

As for the causes of scoliosis, several factors have been identified. « These include genetics, rapid growth, connective tissue abnormalities, nervous system problems, low melatonin levels and certain infections. The majority of scoliosis is idiopathic, meaning that there is a lack of certainty about the actual cause. The causes are multifactorial, nothing explains it 100% ».

To identify the presence of the disease, a self-diagnosis is possible. To do this, Innocent Lakna says, « lean the person forward and observe the curve of the back. Or, standing with feet together and arms hanging down, see if there is a difference in the distance between each arm and the waist. Then, if an abnormality is found, go to the hospital, for a diagnosis established with the help of a doctor, by : A physical examination and an X-ray with the identification of the Cobb angel ».

Consequences

This disease, from which many people suffer, is not without consequences. These consequences can be noticed at several levels. The physiotherapist cites, among other things, « the decrease in respiratory capacity due to the deformation of the thorax, the deformation of the trunk and the loss of height ». It can affect working life with « a decrease in performance and social life through withdrawal, lack of participation in social and family activities. Above all, it can affect psychology by causing severe depression », he says.

Solutions

Scoliosis, depending on the cause, is not without its remedies. At this level, the director of the CNAO-Lomé, explains that for idiopathic scoliosis « physiotherapy + taking anti-pain, anti-inflammatory molecules + a healthy lifestyle, when the disease is in its early stages. When it is evolving, physiotherapy + wearing a corset (recommended by the doctor or the physiotherapist (depending on the area)) + a healthy lifestyle are required. In the last case, i.e. when the pain is established, surgery + physiotherapy + a healthy lifestyle are required ».

Abel OZIH