 |
| Source Image : Pinterest |
Posture problems are closely related to the spine. A posture that is too hunched over is one of the symptoms of someone having a spinal disorder.
However, it's not just a hunchback. People who are too puffed up with a buttock posture that sticks out too far back, a back that looks crooked are some signs that your spine may have problems.
In mild cases, spinal disorders often do not require specific treatment. However, you may need serious treatment from your doctor if the disorder causes symptoms and interferes with your range of motion.
What is a Spinal Disorder?
Spinal deformities are conditions that cause the structure or curvature of the spine to become abnormal. These structural and curvature problems can cause a person's body to hunch over, bend to the left, right, or curve forward too much.
Spinal problems often cause back pain, either at the bottom or top, depending on the vertebrae of the affected area of the spine. That is why this condition is often confused with back pain.
The spine is made up of more than 30 vertebrae that overlap each other. Between the segments, there is an invertebral disc that functions as a cushion so that the vertebrae do not rub against each other.
In addition, the spine basically has a curved shape. However, too deep a curve and problems with the discs or vertebrae can cause spinal disorders.
Types of Spinal Deformities
There are three most common types of spinal disorders: scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis.
However, there are actually several types of spinal disorders, including:
1. Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity that causes the bones to bend to the right or left. This condition makes your body appear tilted to the right or left depending on the curvature of the spine.
Some typical symptoms of scoliosis include:
- The head does not seem to be in the center of the body.
- One shoulder is higher than the other.
- One hip is higher than the other side.
2. Kyphosis
Kyphosis is a condition that causes the spine of the upper back to curve forward excessively. This condition will cause a person's posture to appear hunched.
This condition is more common in the elderly. This is because the weakness of the muscles that support the upper spine makes it excessively curved.
However, kyphosis can also be experienced by infants or adolescents due to spinal deformity problems.
A mild degree of kyphosis rarely causes disruptive problems. However, if the curve is too deep, you may experience back pain.
Treatment will depend on the age, cause, and severity of the condition.
3. Lordosis
Lordosis is a spinal problem that causes the lower spine (lumbar) to curve too deeply.
Lordosis causes the person to have a posture that looks like they are leaning backwards when standing. Although it commonly occurs in the lumbar spine, lordosis can also occur in the cervical spine.
The deep curvature of people with lordosis can cause excessive pressure on the nerves in the vertebrae. This can cause pain and discomfort.
4. Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one vertebra slides forward and rests on the bone below it. This condition can cause pressure on the spinal nerve roots and cause pain.
This condition often occurs in the lower spine (lumbar) and can cause leg stiffness, weakness, tingling, or even numbness.
Spondylolisthesis can also cause lordosis.
5. Spinal stenosis
Along the vertebrae, there is a channel that contains bundles of nerves. This innervation system is referred to as the spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes the canal that houses the spinal nerves to become narrowed, which can compress the nerves inside and cause pain.
Symptoms of Spinal Disorders
The most common symptom that is a sign of a problem with the spine is back pain. The pain can be felt in the upper, middle, or lower back depending on the vertebrae affected.
In addition, abnormal posture is also one of the signs that you may have a spinal disorder.
The following are some symptoms of spinal disorders that you need to be aware of:
- Lower, middle, upper back, or neck pain, depending on the affected vertebrae.
- Pain that radiates to the legs and hands.
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the thighs, legs, and buttocks.
- Posture that is hunched over, bent to the right, left, or overly puffed out.
- Shoulders or hips that are higher on one side than the other.
- In severe conditions, spinal deformities may cause problems with the urinary or digestive system (constipation).
Causes of spinal deformities
There are several things that can cause you to have a spinal deformity. Some are preventable, some are not.
Some of the causes of spinal deformities include:
- Certain diseases, such as viral or bacterial infections.
- Congenital defects.
- Injury.
- Aging (degenerative disease).
- Inflammation.
In addition, there are several things that can increase a person's risk of having spinal problems, such as:
- Being overweight (obesity).
- Incorrect lifting technique (resulting in injury).
- Having other health problems, such as osteoarthritis.
- Poor posture.
- Pressure from repetitive activities.
Diagnosis
To diagnose the spine, your doctor will perform the following tests:
- Physical examination. The doctor will perform a physical examination, such as looking at the position of the shoulders or hips. In addition, the doctor also looks at the space that your body may leave when lying on a flat base. Excessive curvature may leave space between the flat plane and your body (back).
- X-ray of the spine. The doctor may perform an imaging examination using X-rays to look for any deformities in the spine.
- CT scan. CT scans are performed using X-rays to provide a clearer picture of the bones than x-rays. Through CT scans, doctors can see a three-dimensional image of the spine.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If necessary, the doctor will ask you to do an MRI to see a clearer picture of the bones as well as see whether there are problems with the nerves, muscles, or other tissues around the spine.
- Electromyography. This examination is done to look at the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves. Electromyography is done to see how responsive the affected muscles and nerves are to a given stimulus.
Not all examinations must be carried out by patients suspected of having spinal problems. The doctor will look at the patient's condition and needs.
Sometimes, the doctor can already make a diagnosis from a physical examination and one examination procedure.
How to Treat Spinal Deformities
Actually, the curvature in the spine is a normal condition. However, if the degree of curvature is too deep, this condition can cause pain and interfere with activities.
Some spinal problems usually do not require specific treatment unless they become bothersome.
How to treat spinal disorders varies depending on the type of disorder you are experiencing. The following are some of the treatment options for spinal disorders that doctors may provide:
- Administration of medications, such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
- Use of braces or back supports.
- Physical or occupational therapy.
- Surgery.
In cases of severe curvature of the spine, the doctor may recommend surgery.
This operation is performed to help restore the shape of the spine by installing a pen or performing a spinal fusion.
Fortunately, today's health technology has advanced. Most recently, robot-assisted spine surgery can improve the accuracy of implant placement with a success rate of almost 100%.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.
