Causes of Scoliosis

The occurrence of scoliosis brings a lot of trouble to patients. We should know some knowledge about scoliosis so that once we have symptoms of scoliosis, we can immediately judge it and treat scoliosis as soon as possible. We also need to know some causes of scoliosis. As long as we know the causes of scoliosis, we can prevent scoliosis well.

Scoliosis is generally divided into two categories, one is non-structural scoliosis and the other is structural scoliosis. Scoliosis is more difficult to treat, so we still need to do a good job in preventing scoliosis.

Scoliosis is a symptom. There are many causes that can cause scoliosis, each with its own characteristics. In order to make the treatment effective, the types should be distinguished and targeted treatment should be provided.

Scoliosis can be divided into functional or organic types, or non-structural and structural types according to the cause.

(1) Non-structural scoliosis

1. Postural scoliosis;

2. Pain in waist and legs, such as herniated disc and tumor;

3. Caused by unequal length of lower limbs;

4. Caused by hip contracture;

5. Inflammatory stimulation (such as appendicitis);

6. Hysterical scoliosis.

Non-structural scoliosis refers to temporary scoliosis caused by certain reasons. Once the cause is removed, it will return to normal. However, if it exists for a long time, it may develop into structural scoliosis. Generally, the scoliosis of such patients will disappear on its own when they lie flat, and X-rays show that the spinal bones are normal.

(ii) Structural scoliosis

1. Idiopathic

The most common, accounting for 75%-85% of the total, the cause of the disease is unclear, so it is called idiopathic scoliosis. According to the age of onset, it can be divided into three categories.

(1) Infant type (0-3 years old) ① Natural healing type; ② Progressive type.

(2) Juvenile type (4 to 10 years old).

(3) Adolescent type (>10 years old to skeletal maturity).

Among the above three types, the adolescent type is the most common.

2. Congenital

(1) Poorly formed types: ① Congenital hemivertebra; ② Congenital wedge-shaped vertebra.

(2) Poor segmentation type.

(3) Hybrid type, which combines the above two types.

Congenital scoliosis is caused by incomplete segmentation of the spine during the embryonic period, the presence of a bone bridge on one side, incomplete development of the vertebrae on one side, or a combination of the above two factors, which results in asymmetric growth of the two sides of the spine, thus causing scoliosis. It is often accompanied by other malformations, including spinal cord malformations, congenital heart disease, congenital urinary system malformations, etc. Spinal malformations can usually be found on X-rays.

3. Neuromuscular

It can be divided into neurogenic and myogenic. It is caused by nerve or muscle diseases that lead to muscle strength imbalance, especially scoliosis caused by asymmetry of the paraspinal muscles. Common causes include sequelae of poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, syringomyelia, progressive muscular atrophy, etc.

4. Neurofibromatosis combined with scoliosis.

5. Scoliosis caused by interstitial lesions

Such as Marfan syndrome, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, etc.

6. Acquired scoliosis

Such as scoliosis caused by ankylosing spondylitis, spinal fractures, spinal tuberculosis, empyema and chest surgery such as thoracoplasty.

7. Other reasons

Such as scoliosis caused by metabolic, nutritional or endocrine reasons.

Above we introduced what scoliosis is. We know that the occurrence of scoliosis brings great trouble to patients. The treatment of scoliosis is not easy, so we must master some knowledge about scoliosis and do a good job in preventing scoliosis. The above article analyzes the causes of scoliosis in detail.