Braces for scoliosis are recommended to prevent the scoliotic curve from getting worse. Many different types of braces are available now and can be used depending on the level, severity, and convenience of the person using them. Some braces for scoliosis are worn full time whereas others are night time only. Braces are used in […]
Spine
Discogenic Back Pain Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Discogenic back pain is a common cause of axial low back pain [the pain is in the back as compared to radicular that that occurs in limbs as referred pain] without radicular symptoms. The condition is caused by damage to one or more discs. Relevant Anatomy The spine consists of stacked vertebrae that are connected […]
Sacral slope, Pelvic tilt and Pelvic Incidence
Sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence are pelvic parameters used in radiological assessment of the lumbosacral spine. With evolution came upright posture which brought the required changes in the spine and pelvis. The pelvis became broadened and vertical. There were changes in spinal curvature and muscular structures supporting the spine were substantially modified. The […]
Idiopathic Scoliosis – Types, Presentation and Treatment
Idiopathic scoliosis is the lateral deviation deformity of the spine where the cause is not known. Because there is also a vertebral rotation and not just deviation, the term rotoscoliosis is also used to describe the deformity. Idiopathic signifies that it is not secondary or due to some deformity and other secondary causes. On plain […]
Risser Sign and Its Use in Scoliosis
The Risser sign, also called Risser index or Risser classification is a system used to assess and grade skeletal maturity based on the level of ossification and fusion of the iliac crest apophyses. The apophyses (singular: apophysis) are the normal bony outgrowths which have separate ossification centers and eventually fuse with the bone in time. Iliac […]
Lenke Classification System for Scoliosis
Lenke classification is a comprehensive radiographic classification of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis named after Dr Lawrence Lenke who was instrumental in devising it. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common types of scoliosis encountered. Though originally intended to be include factors in 3 planes, it eventually included two saggital and coronal plane. The classification was published […]
Classification of Scoliosis Curves
Scoiliotic curves can be classified by many approaches. We are describing two mainly used methods for classification of scoliosis curves. These classifications are named as Ponseti and Friedman, and Kings’s classification of scoliosis curves. Scoliosis, as we know, is of non-idiopathic and idiopathic types. Neuromuscular and degenerative scoliosis are types of non-idiopathic scoliosis. Ponseti and […]
Laminoplasty – Indications and Procedure
Laminoplasty is a process of increasing the space available for the spinal cord by reconstruction of the laminar arch via a posterior approach. It is done by hinging or opening the lamina to allow access to the canal and may include augmentation or reconstruction of the spinal canal. Laminectomy is just removal of the lamina […]
Pars interarticularis Anatomy and Significance
What is Pars Interarticularis? The Pars Interarticularis is a special region of the lamina between the superior and inferior articular processes. The term literally means part between the articulations in Latin language and is kind of bony bridge that joins these two upper and lower facets. Thus one vertebral has two pars interarticularis. Thus facet […]
Degenerative Scoliosis or Adult Onset Scoliosis
Degenerative scoliosis is a result of progressive degenerative changes in structural elements of the spine. It also is known as adult-onset scoliosis but is different from curves of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that adults have. Adult scoliosis is a collective term inclusive of degenerative scoliosis comprising of all spinal deformities in a skeletally mature individual. Technically, […]