脊柱侧弯是脊柱的异常曲率。一个人的脊柱的正常形状包括肩膀顶部的曲线和下背部的曲线。如果您的脊柱从一侧到另一侧或“ S”或“ C”形弯曲，则可能患有脊柱侧弯。

根据American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), about 80 percent of scoliosis cases have no identifiable cause.

The condition is often diagnosed during the first 7 years of a child’s life. Common causes, when they can be pinpointed, are:

脊柱侧弯的最大类别是特发性脊柱侧弯，该术语用于指没有明确原因的病例。特发性脊柱侧弯按年龄组分解：

  • 婴儿：0 to 3 years
  • 少年：4至10年
  • Adolescent:11 to 18 years
  • 成人：18岁以上

Of these, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common, according to theaans.

当研究人员知道不同类型的脊柱侧弯的原因时，它们包括：

  • 先天性其中脊柱畸形在出生时显而易见
  • neurological,当神经异常影响脊柱的肌肉

Scoliosis can also be categorized as either structural or nonstructural. In structural scoliosis, the spine’s curve is caused by a disease, injury, or birth defect, and is permanent.

Nonstructural scoliosis describes temporary curves that can be fixed.

Symptoms vary depending on the degree of scoliosis. Common symptoms associated with scoliosis include:

  • one shoulder blade that’s higher than the other
  • one shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other
  • uneven hips
  • 旋转的脊柱
  • problems breathing because of reduced area in the chest for lungs to expand
  • back pain

The cause of scoliosis often can’t be determined. Common causes that doctors may identify include:

  • 脑瘫, a group of nervous system disorders that affect movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking
  • muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic disorders that result in muscle weakness
  • 影响婴儿脊骨骨骼的出生缺陷，例如spina bifida
  • spinal injuries or infections

具有脊柱侧弯家族史的人更有可能发展这种状况。具有阴道的人比有阴茎的人更有可能具有更严重的脊柱侧弯。

对脊柱进行体格检查是医生去看看是否患有脊柱侧弯的第一步。您的医生还可以订购一些成像测试，以仔细观察您的脊椎。

Physical exam

当您双臂站立时，您的医生会观察您的背部。他们会检查脊柱曲率以及您的肩膀和腰部区域是否对称。

Next, your doctor will ask you to bend forward, looking for any curvature in your upper and lower back.

Imaging

成像测试您的医生可能要求寻找脊柱侧弯的成像包括：

治疗取决于许多因素 - 脊柱曲率的程度是主要因素。您的医生还将考虑：

  • your age
  • 您是否可能继续成长
  • 曲率的数量和类型
  • the type of the scoliosis

主要的治疗选择是支撑和手术。

支撑

根据aans，脊柱侧弯的人如果仍在生长，并且曲率超过25至40度，则可能需要使用撑杆。

牙套不会拉直脊柱，但它们可以防止曲率增加。这种治疗方法对于早期检测到的病例更有效。

那些需要支撑的人需要每天16至23个小时穿上它，直到停止生长。支架的有效性随着他们每天穿的小时数提高。

医生通常建议孩子们戴上牙套，直到他们达到青春期，并且不再成长。

There are two main types of braces:

  • Underarm:由塑料制成，靠近身体，该支架几乎是看不见的。它用于治疗下部的脊柱曲线，并适合身体的下部。
  • Milwaukee:该支撑始于脖子，覆盖了整个躯干，除了腿和手臂。它用于底漆无法解决的曲线。

手术

手术通常保留给曲线大于40度的人。但是，如果您被诊断出患有脊柱侧弯，并认为曲率正在中断您的日常生活或引起您的不适感，请与您的医生谈谈此选择。

Spinal fusionis the standard scoliosis surgery. In this procedure, the doctor fuses your vertebrae together using a bone graft, rods, and screws. Thebone graftconsists of bone or a material like it.

杆将脊柱保持直线位置，螺钉将其固定在适当的位置。最终，骨移植物和椎骨融合到单个骨头中。杆可以随着儿童生长而调整。

Some of the risks of spinal fusion surgery include:

  • 过多的出血
  • failure to heal
  • 感染
  • pain
  • 神经损伤

Certain therapies can aid in managing scoliosis pain, though they won’t help to correct the curvature itself.

Some techniques need more research but may be recommended by your doctor, such ashydrotherapy,按摩,电刺激， 和back braces.

这些方法最有可能帮助减轻疼痛和不适：

锻炼

锻炼and stretching for scoliosis pain symptoms can’t fix the underlying issue, but it’s important for general wellness and can help keep you flexible.

向您的医疗保健提供者咨询锻炼和伸展运动的建议，以帮助保持肌肉强大和支持。

药物

对乙酰氨基酚（Tylenol）和布洛芬（Advil）等止痛药可以帮助减轻疼痛。与您的医生谈谈疼痛和减轻炎症的选择。

Chiropractic treatment

An 较旧的2011年研究 建议脊椎治疗可能有助于减轻脊柱侧弯时的疼痛并增加柔韧性。

Note that this kind of treatment isn’t a cure for the curvature of scoliosis. Look for a chiropractor who specializes in scoliosis to avoid使病情恶化.

脊柱侧弯的长期前景取决于曲率的严重程度。对于轻度到中度的病例，这种情况不会干扰日常活动和功能。具有严重脊柱侧弯形式的个体可能会有身体上的局限性。

Living with scoliosis can be difficult. If you’re looking for help managing your scoliosis, you may want to seek out a support group.

Support groups allow you to meet others who are experiencing the same things, and you can find encouragement and advice about dealing with the condition on a daily basis.

TheNational Scoliosis Foundation (NSF)is a good starting point for finding resources.