If you’ve recently received a degenerative scoliosis diagnosis, then you probably have a seemingly unending list of questions about the condition, its causes, symptoms, and treatments. For specific answers regarding your individual health, you should make an appointment with your physician or spine specialist. However, this article will hopefully provide general answers to some of your questions about the condition.

What is Degenerative Scoliosis and How Did I Get it?

Degenerative scoliosis involves an abnormal curvature of the spine. Unlike congenital scoliosis which forms in utero, degenerative scoliosis develops slowly over time. The condition most commonly affects individuals over the age of 65 whose spines have undergone degenerative changes as part of the natural aging process. By middle age, most people’s spines have started breaking down because of the constant strain that they’ve endured for several decades. The spine supports the weight of the upper body and is tasked with facilitating countless bends and twists every day, so it’s really no wonder that it can begin to break down over time.

One of the spinal components that is most affected by the natural aging process is the facet joints that connect adjacent, articulating vertebrae (the bone structures that house and protect the spinal cord). Like other joints, the facets can become arthritic as their cartilaginous lining wears away from continued use. The breakdown of the facet joints can cause spinal instability, which is the leading cause of degenerative scoliosis.

How is Degenerative Scoliosis Treated?

If you’ve received a scoliosis diagnosis, then your physician will likely recommend a regimen of conservative, nonsurgical treatments that are aimed at easing your pain and discomfort. Your regimen will likely include an over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications interfere with the body’s inflammatory response, thereby reducing inflammation in the facet joints. NSAIDs can also numb mild to moderate pain. If your pain is more severe, your physician may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever and/or muscle relaxant to provide additional relief.

Your doctor may also advise you to make certain lifestyle changes. For instance, if you’re overweight, then your physician may place you on a low-calorie diet. By shedding excess pounds, you can reduce a great deal of strain on your spine, which may significantly mitigate your pain and discomfort. Other possible lifestyle modifications include quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. These unhealthy habits are widely known to negatively affect an individual’s overall health, but they can actually prove especially detrimental to the spine. Both habits interfere with the body’s ability to provide the spine with nutrient-rich blood. Smoking can also reduce bone density, which can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis that affects the facet joints.

If nonsurgical treatments prove ineffective after several weeks or months, your physician may advise you to undergo an operation to decompress the spinal nerve or nerve root that has become impinged by the abnormal curvature of your spine. Before consenting to any operation, you may want to seek a second or third opinion to ensure that surgery truly is necessary.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for patients who have received a scoliosis diagnosis.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for patients who have received a scoliosis diagnosis. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/scoliosis/causes/diagnosis/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for patients who have received a scoliosis diagnosis.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: scoliosis diagnosis