Scoliosis - Treatment and Condition

Question 1

What are the types of “Scoliosis”?

Answer 1

Functional & Structural

Question 2

What is Functional Scoliosis?

Answer 2

AKA postural or non-structural curves may be altered or reversed by positional changes or muscular action.

Question 3

What is Structural Scoliosis?

Answer 3

Fixed due to bony changes and cannot be corrected by positional changes or voluntary effort.

Question 4

Scoliosis curves are described based the side the concavity is on?

Answer 4

1 curve = C-curve

2 curves = S-curve

Question 5

What are the anatomical terms of the different parts of the Scoliosis?

Answer 5

Apex, Major, Minor, Transitional.

Question 6

What is the “Apex” of the Scoliosis?

Answer 6

The Apex vertebra is the one in any curve that is farthest from the midline.

Question 7

What is the “Major” of the Scoliosis?

Answer 7

The Major curve in an S-curve scoliosis is the largest curve with greatest angulation.

Question 8

What is the “Minor” of the Scoliosis?

Answer 8

The minor curve is smaller that the major curve.

Question 9

What is the “Transitional” of the Scoliosis?

Answer 9

The transitional vertebra is the one that marks the end of one curve and the beginning of the next.

Question 10

What are the Causes for Scoliosis?

Answer 10

Idiopathic - Scoliosis comprises of 85% of all reported causes and occurs in 8% of the population.

Biomechanical Factors could cause imbalances.

Muscular Imbalances.

Question 11

What are things below the hip that may be a cause for Scoliosis?

Answer 11

Bony asymmetries below the pelvis such as Leg length inequity due to unilateral Pes planus, a short tibia/femur length or any fractures can causes scoliosis.

Question 12

What short mm’s can causes raised pelvis to give the appearance of short leg scoliosis?

Answer 12

If a client has QL shortening this would causes elevated pelvis on one side.

Question 13

When would the vertebral bodies in scoliosis rotate around this axis towards the —— of a curve?

Answer 13

It rotates Towards the convexity of a curve.

Question 14

What side of Scoliosis is the Scapula more prominent?

Answer 14

The shoulder on the Convex side of the Thoracic curve is elevated by the actions of the Upper traps and lev scap, The scapula is more prominent in this side.

Question 15

What would be done to test the ROM of a client with Scoliosis?

Answer 15

AF rom - of the spine in lateral bending and flexion reveals decreased range towards the convex side.
PR rom - of the hip reveals decreased range in extension with an anterior pelvic tilt.
AR rom - Testing reveals weakness in the abdominals and in the mm on the concave side of the curve.

Question 16

What Special test could be done for a client with Scoliosis?

Answer 16

Functional Leg length, SI motion assessed with Gillets, Functional or structural scoliosis test is positive, as are scoliosis small hemipelvis and scoliosis short leg test.

Question 17

What side of Scoliosis curve do you use Heat hydrotherapy on?

Answer 17

Heat to tight structures on the concave side.

Used as patchwork so you can work on one area while another is heating.

Question 18

Where and when is cool hydro used on a client with Scoliosis?

Answer 18

Cool hydro is used on the Convex side on the curve (Weak mm’s).
Used only after tight Concave side is treated.

Question 19

When treating Scoliosis, after heating a area with Hydro what would you do?

Answer 19

Facial work would be used on the pre-heated areas in the short and tight concave sides.
Zig-zags across body, inferior to superior.
Stripping and potential TP work would also be used.

Question 20

After short and tight mm’s are treated in the concave parts of the Scoliosis, what would be done?

Answer 20

Stimulating techniques such as Tapotement.
Cool washes are used.
Active resisted exercises on intercostals are used.