Approach to Thoracosacral Complaint Flashcards
Idiopathic Scoliosis
Most common in adolescents; adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) = Cobb angle > 10 degree, >/= 10 years of age; males and females affected equally, but the risk of curve progression and need for treatment is 10 times higher in females than in males
Compensatory Scoliosis
Occurs with torticollis, thoracoplasty, congenital dislocation of the hip, and shortened lower limb
Structural Scoliosis
Occurs in congenital deformities and paralysis of back or abdominal muscles
Functional Scoliosis
Usually minor and forms a single lateral curve, usually with convexity to the right
When is surgery recommended for someone with scoliosis?
Cobb angle is > 50 degrees
The thoracic spine has what kind of curvature?
Kyphosis/convex
The lumbar spine has what kind curvature?
Lordosis/concave
De Novo Scoliosis (Degenerative Scoliosis)
Result of long-term effects of the spine
Congenital Scoliosis
In utero; rare, 1:10,000 births
Early Onset Scoliosis
Children under 10 are still growing, so this can affect more than just the spine; can lead to malformed ribs and affect the lungs
What is adult spinal deformity?
Encompasses scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, and spondylolisthesis, each of which can lead to imbalance of the structural support of the spinal column
How do you screen for scoliosis?
- Note differences in the height of the shoulders or scapulae
- Asymmetry of the waistline
- Asymmetry in the distance that the arms hang from the trunk
- Plumb line dropped from the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra should pass through gluteal cleft
A patient has their head shifted to one side and not centered over the sacrum. What is this called?
Trunk Shift
What is spondylitis?
Inflammation of the spinal joints
