If a person is experiencing scoliosis, a condition of the spine twists, along with the body curving towards the left side, it is referred to as levoscoliosis. Levoscoliosis is less common as compared to scoliosis. However, it can also be defined as an unnatural sideways of the spinal curve, causing bending towards the left side. MerFactoliosis involves curvature towards the right side. According to the Natural Scoliosis Foundation, 2–3% of the population in the United States experience some scoliosis. Individuals have a trend of diagnosis between 10-15 years of age. Females have a prevalence rate of up to 8 times more as compared to men. Although levoscoliosis is atypical, treatment options are designed according to underlying causes.
Signs and Symptoms of levoscoliosis
The symptoms of Levoscoliosis vary in individual patients. The actual signs are identified according to the severity of the curve.
Here are some common symptoms of Levoscoliosis:
- Painful back
- Poor shoulder posture and outpouring of shoulder blades
- Prominent curvature of the spine in modern cases.
- Moderate conditions have no visible indications.
- One leg shortens as compared to the other
- Unequal and oblique waist
- Modifications in the style of walk
- Difficult performance of daily activities
- Breathing issues
- Posture changes
- Tingling and numbness of the muscle
Levoscoliosis Causes
Levoscoliosis may have the following possible circumstances: causes
Idiopathic – involves unknown cause, and the person physically appears healthy
Congenital – involves abnormal formation of the bones of the spine
Neuromuscular –involves uncontrolled nervous movements that supply muscles around the spine (for instance, conditions like dystrophy or cerebral palsy)
Degenerative – involves damaged or herniated vertebral discs
Puberty – involves hormonal alterations causing spine growth faster than the muscles. Moreover, the weakened muscles, along with levoscoliosis, can quickly appear.
Poor posture involves predisposing factors more than the cause. One characteristic you should consider for scoliosis is poor posture, which does not cause pain otherwise if a person intends to straighten up.
Diagnosis of levoscoliosis
A healthcare expert can process a diagnosis after enquiring about the following question.
- Individual past medical history
- Patient’s family medical history
- Indications
- Any injury leading to scoliosis
Physical assessment
The experts will then perform a physical assessment to analyze the spine alignment, shoulder pain, hip and muscle pain, any initiative symptoms, numbness, and tingling. They will also observe the bending capacity of the patient while keeping arms hung on both sides.
Imaging tests
Most doctors diagnose levoscoliosis with the help of imaging tests to report the angle among misaligned vertebrae. Such an angle is called the Cobb angle.
For scoliosis, doctors at pain management in Dallas describe the value of the Cobb angle as more significant than 10 degrees, which demands monitoring. If levoscoliosis is suspected, the doctors will also order imaging tests like X-rays to justify the condition and diagnose the exact curve. The most commonly used diagnostic tests that can be used to analyze scoliosis include the following:
- An MRI scan
- A CT scan
- A spinal radiograph
Treatment
The levoscoliosis treatment depends comprehensively on two factors-
- Age
- Angle of curvature
However, the most common processes referred for the treatment consist of the following:
Physical Therapy
About levoscoliosis, the physical therapist undergoes an initial assessment so that advancement of curvature to the left side can be determined, which leads to additional investigations, including an MRI test for confirmation. The PT program will include passive and active exercises that strengthen the weak muscles. Other exercises can be performed on fixed stairs and mirror postures.
Braces
Depending on the patient’s age and angle of curvature, the healthcare experts may suggest a hard or a soft brace. Nowadays, soft braces are preferred, as they are easy to wear and deliver several advantages. They have proved to decrease pain intensity in most patients and reduce the rate of progression of the curve. They are effective for initial correction and help stabilize the vertebral column. Eventually, this prevents curvature of the left side from worsening. Moreover, the weak muscles are made active and stimulated.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatments are suitable for individuals with scoliosis to alleviate pain. These treatments also enhance flexibility and endurance. A notable fact is that the use of these treatments to manage scoliosis is not treatment of scoliosis.
However, this topic has limited research, but one previous study showed that a sample of 28 individuals with scoliosis documented improvement in pain condition and other indications within 24 months after chiropractic treatment.
It’s crucial to consult a chiropractor with expertise in scoliosis, as other general doctors may worsen the condition.
The FED Method
FED METHOD Is also called dynamical and tridimensional therapy for managing scoliosis. Typically, the spine curvature is treated by applying 3D fixation of the spinal column in an elongated version. However, correct and adjustable pressure is applied. This method originated from Sprain and is used to treat numerous conditions of scoliosis, including levoscoliosis.
- Scoliosis Surgery
Pain specialist in Dallas can perform a spinal fusion procedure that straightens your spine’s curvature. Bone grafts are added to the spine’s curvature area, which will develop into a single bone. Metal rods may be connected to the spinal bone, keeping your backbone growing straight while keeping segments fused.
Outlook for levoscoliosis
If your issue is levoscoliosis, you are likely unable to live a whole and active routine life without participating in sports.
Spinal fusion limits the spine mobility and does not allow it to move in a particular posture, so some sports may be more challenging to participate in than others. Pain physicians in Dallas may forbid you to play contact sports, including football. Spinal fusion also makes pregnancy or delivery difficult and dangerous for you.
Managing scoliosis, wearing face braces, or performing surgeries may be challenging for some people. It may be adequate to join a scoliosis-coordinated group. Your provider or other hospital staff may help you recommend better management options.
