Curvature of the thoracic spine: What should you do?

When man evolves he becomes straight but the straightness is also due to numerous pathologies of the spine. Heavy load, incorrect posture, injuries, infections will also lead to deformation of the bones of the back, including the curvature of the thoracic spine.

Causes of spinal deformity

Scoliosis is a disease that affects the structure of the human body. Our ancestors used their limbs and that is why the load on the spine was evenly distributed. Afterwards increased physical work, injuries and underdeveloped muscles excercabeted the problems. The curvature of the thoracic spine can be caused by various reasons:

• Wrong posture in childhood
• Uneven loads on one side such as carrying a heavy bag on the same shoulder.
• Spinal injuries.
• Infectious diseases and chronic muscle inflammation.
• Congenital anomalies such as different leg lengths.
• Weak muscular corset.

Chronic illnesses and continuously staying in an uncomfortable position leads to curvature of the spine. Moreover, some people may be also hereditarily predisposed to the condition.

Symptoms of various types of thoracic scoliosis

The curvature of the bones of the spine can be classified into three groups that is the degree of gravity, the type of curvature and the direction of the hand.

There are four degrees in severity:

1. The slouch is almost invisible, the curvature can be seen at the inclination and causes a little discomfort.
2. Noticeable asymmetry of the spine, curved angle up to 25 degrees. There is a muscle tension, and pain arises when you stay for a long time without movement.
3. Brightly expressed deformity of the breast, a noticeable inter-rib hump. There is severe pain in the back, and internal organs appear disorders in work.
4. The torso and hip joints are skewed, the back is curved to 40-80 degrees. It becomes difficult to move, there is a possibility of paralysis.

There are three types of curvature:

• Upper breast – Changes affect the neck and upper thoracic section.
• Thoracic – The thoracic cell is deformed, the dorsal and inter-rib humps appear.
• thoracic – Simultaneous curvature of the thoracic and lumbar region.
• lumbar – Changes affect only the lumbar spine.

Scoliosis of the thoracic department is divided into the right handed and left handed. The right-handed causes severe pain and discomfort while the left-handed can lasts for a long time without portraying any signs and symptoms.

The common symptoms for all degrees and types of scoliosis include back pain, shoulder symmetry and slouching. However, the disease develops with signs and symptoms such as:

• Facial asymmetry – In cervical disorders.
• Difficulty breathing, digestive problems with a high degree of curvature and pressure on the internal organs.
• Inter-rib neuralgia.
• Tingling and weakness in the hand.

How is the curvature of the thoracic spine diagnosed?

There are many doctors who deal with back problems. The orthopaedist and surgeon will assist in the diagnosis of congenital or acquired anomalies of the spine while the traumatologist will examine the spine after spine injuries. The neurologist will prescribe the right treatment for the damage of the nerve tissue as a result of bone pathologies.

Second degree scoliosis and above can easily be noticed at the first visual examination in many positions such as when lying down, standing and tilting forward.

To establish the degree and calculate the angle of inclination, you may need to get X-rays. You may be required to do an MRI of the thoracic spine. This will not only show a picture of the changes in the bones but will also assist in checking the degree of deformation of the internal organs when the scoliosis is in later stages. A similar result will produce a complicated tomography.

How is scoliosis treated?

Early stage scoliosis can be treated by phyisical therapy, massage and swimming. The treatments that are usually prescribed are physiotherapy, mud treatment and magnototherapy.

Severe forms of the curvature can only be corrected by surgery. After treatment, the doctor can prescribe the use of fixing corsets. They assist in consolidating the results but they should not be worn for a long period of time.

How to avoid curvature of the back?

Just like many other diseases, thoracic scoliosis can be easily prevented. Parents should follow these for their children:

• Don’t try to put a small child in jail before he tries to do it himself.
• Pick up the child furniture on height, so that he always sits with a flat back.

Adults should lead a healthy lifestyle so as to prevent scoliosis.

• Exercise regularly, move a lot and do a variety of activities.
• To avoid disturbances in the structure of bones, watch the diet.

If you change your posture and notice back pain, see your doctor immediately. First-degree curvature is easy to cure.