Thoracolumbar scoliosis, also known as combined scoliosis, is a spine curvature in which the lower thoracic (middle back) and upper lumbar (lower back) of the patient are involved.
After thoracic scoliosis, the most common curves are thoracolumbar and lumbar curves, accounting for roughly 40% of all scoliosis curves.
Symptoms of Thoracolumbar Scoliosis
Every case is different regarding thoracolumbar scoliosis symptoms, which is why scoliosis is often described as complex.
The most common Thoracolumbar scoliosis symptoms are postural changes that disrupt the body’s overall symmetry, which can include the following:
- Uneven shoulders
- Uneven waistline
- Uneven hips
- The rib cage extends more from one side than the other
- Back pain
Analysis
The doctor will likely take an in-depth health assessment and inquire about any recent growth. In order to check which side of the rib cage is more dominant during the physical examination, doctor may ask the patient to stand and then bend forward from the waist while holding their arms freely at their sides.
Additionally, a neurological examination may be done by your doctor to check for:
- Muscle ache
- Abnormal reflexes and numbness
Treatment
Treatment for scoliosis varies according to the severity of the curve. Children with very mild curves usually do not require any treatment, though they may require regular checkups to see if the curve worsens as they grow.
Braces
Your doctor could advise a brace if your child has mild scoliosis and still-growing bones. Although wearing a brace will not cure or reverse scoliosis, it will usually prevent the curve from worsening.
The vast majority of braces are worn for 13 to 16 hours per day. The number of hours a brace is worn per day increases its effectiveness. Braced children can usually participate in most activities with few restrictions. Children can remove the brace to participate physical activities if necessary.
Surgery
Severe scoliosis usually worsens over time, so your doctor may recommend scoliosis surgery to help lumbar lordosis straightening and keep it from worsening.
Surgical solutions include:
Spinal fusion:
Surgeons join two or more vertebrae in the spine so they can’t move independently during this procedure. Bone or bone-like material is inserted between the vertebrae. Metal rods, hooks, screws, or wires are typically used to maintain the spine straight while the old and new bone components fuse.
They were expanding rods:
In the event that scoliosis worsens quickly when a kid is still a young age, surgeons may place a few expandable rods along the spine that may expand in size as the child develops. The rods must be surgically or remotely extended in the clinic every three to six months.
Tethering of the vertebral body:
Small incisions can be used for this treatment. Screws are threaded through the abnormal spinal curves outside edge. As the cord is tightened, the spine straightens. As the child gets older, the spine may help sort even more.
Complications from spinal surgery can include bleeding, infection, or nerve damage.
