Scoliosis is a significant deviation of the spine to the side and/or rotational deviation in three dimensions that can be seen in the upper and/or lower back. The vertebrae lies on a vertically straight line in a normal and healthy person. In case of scoliosis, the spine is curved to right or left side and also rotated around its axis. Such curves can be it one location of spine but could also be in multiple locations in different directions.

Symptoms

Scoliosis is more common in adolescence period. It can result in cosmetic and irrecoverable damages to heart and respiratory system if it is not intervened at early stages. It is important for identifying the disease that the patients observe themselves and shape of their body to notice the signs.

These signs include;

• Difference in level of shoulders
• Frontward protrusion of one part of vertebral column
• Bone bulging on one side of the back (bulgy appearance of scapula)
• Right or left deviation in body balance

How is it diagnosed? 

The diagnosis is made by an x-ray film that is taken with standing position covers the whole vertebral column, and by identifying one or more signs above on clinical examination. An MRI examination is required to identify the cause after diagnosing scoliosis. The angle is measured between the vertebrae where the curve starts and ends indicated on frontal, posterior and lateral vertebral column radiography taken with standing position. This angle called Cobb.

Types of Scoliosis

Congenital Scoliosis

Congenital scoliosis often occurs in early ages and develops associated with a defect in formation of spine or union of ribs. It must be identified and treated at early stages. It can show rapid progression depending on the type of defect.

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

This can be caused by muscular palsy associated with neurological diseases such as stroke, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Again, early diagnosis and treatment would resolve progressive defects.

Idiopathic Scoliosis

This type of scoliosis is the most common and the prevailing view agreed recently in the scientific publications is that the disease is hereditary. It commonly presents in young girls in rapid development period of adolescence. Adolescence scoliosis does not cause pain and is difficult to identify. Thus, the scoliosis may have started several years before identifying. The child’s spine should be regularly checked until growth is completed because the scoliosis can occur any time in adolescence period.

Treatment Methods

It is determined based on the size of the curve and at what stage the bone development is. The earlier the treatment is started the higher the success rate is.

Observation

Only observation and periodic controls should be sufficient in patients with a degree less than 20 and who has almost completed the skeletal development.

Corset application

The corset is intended to prevent increase in the curve. Corset is particularly effective where the curve is around 30 degrees and in children who are still in their developmental stage. The corset effect reduces where the curve is greater than 40 degrees and in children who have years to complete the skeletal development. The curve may be increased despite corset treatment. The rate of this risk can be 99% determined by genetic analysis from salivary sample, and this test is performed at our centre.

Surgery

The surgical treatment is the only option where the curve is greater than 40 degrees and in patients who are still in their developmental stage. The surgical treatment is performed successfully with implants (screws-bars) located on the back and low back. Monitorization (neuromonitorization) of functions of spinal cord during the surgery is a method increasing the reliability of the operation for the patient and physician and used routinely at our centre.

Our clinic is one of the centres, which is indicated as a reference centre across the world for scoliosis surgeries. 65 patients diagnosed with adolescence idiopathic scoliosis alone underwent scoliosis surgery successfully at our hospital, in 2012. The number of surgeries applied for other types of scoliosis is quite the same.

Surgery process is organized in an extremely professional manner for the comfort of patients. The surgical method to be applied is determined by your doctor based on the type of scoliosis and you are told about the operation in details. Only a single surgery is sufficient for 90% of the patients to get a favourable result. The patients have stood up and walked one day after the surgery. The duration of hospitalization is approximately 5 days. Patients are usually able to go back to their daily activities in three weeks after the surgery.