Part two of a series on scoliosis bracing for adults explores types of scoliosis.
Diagnosing Scoliosis in Adults
The danger of scoliosis in adults is that a lot of times, people equate curvature of the spine with children and teenagers. However, late onset scoliosis does affect some adults. Some adults need bracing, some surgery, and some just observation, depending on the cause. Scoliosis is diagnosed by either a chiropractor or a spinal specialist.
Once it is diagnosed, it is then determined what type of scoliosis a patient may have by getting information from a patient. If a patient has scoliosis in their biological family, it is likely that he or she may have it as well. Some types of scoliosis however, have no known cause.
The Types of Adult Scoliosis
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center:
“Most cases of adult scoliosis are idiopathic, which means we do not know their cause. Sometimes adult scoliosis is the result of changes in the spine due to aging and degeneration of the spine. There are several types of scoliosis in adults:
Idiopathic Curve – This is the most common type. Usually there is no clear-cut reason why the spine is curved.
Congenital Curve – The term “congenital” means that you were born with the problem. A congenital scoliosis is present at birth. Many different problems in growth and development can lead to spine problems. Fortunately, most of these are rare. Congenital scoliosis may not be recognized, or may not be severe enough to require treatment during childhood. The scoliosis may get worse later in life due to wear and tear around the abnormal area of the spine.
Paralytic Curve – “Paralytic” means that muscles do not work. When muscles do not work around the spine, the spine itself may be thrown out of balance. Over several years, this can result in a curvature of the spine developing. This type of scoliosis is often caused by spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis. [READ MORE]
Late Onset Scoliosis Treatment Options
There are three treatment options open for late onset scoliosis: observation, bracing, and surgery. If the curve is slight and does not show any signs of getting worse, then observation is the recommended treatment option. Bracing helps to stop the curvature for getting worse, and surgery is only for cases where the curvature is progressive.
So remember there are a lot of treatment options. One treatment option for late onset scoliosis is soft scoliosis bracing for adults.
This concludes part two of our series. For more information on late onset scoliosis, be sure to read part one as well as part three.
Pivonka Family Chiropractic
1355 S Higley Rd #102
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 892-0022
https://correctscoliosis.com
