Example Of A Scoliosis Essay

Scoliosis Imagine a tall strong man. His broad hands, although rough from construction work, have a kind and gentle touch. His blue eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and wisdom. His arms can surround you with the warmest hugs and he can lift you high above. He is all knowing and ever loving. This man is my grandfather and I remember always being amazed by him. Growing up I noticed some things begin to change. He wasn’t as quick to play and he didn’t stand quite as straight. It got a little worse as time went on and he now stoops and kind of limps while walking. This is due to the scoliosis he has developed as he has aged. Scoliosis occurs with the spine develops asymmetrical curves and twists. People usually associate scoliosis with adolescents when it is more common in older adults. It is usually caused by degeneration of the spine and can include many problems. Some of those problems include degenerating disks, osteoporosis, spinal tissue removed through surgery, and arthritis. The degeneration of disks is a problem because the disks allow for cushioning between the vertebrae. If the disks break down it results in pressure on the spinal joints …show more content…
Most symptoms start with low back pain. If a person has osteoarthritis in the spine joints it can worsen resulting in the production of bony outgrowths which can pinch nerves branching from the main spinal cord and causes pain. Another symptom is thickening of spinal ligaments causing pain and leg weakness which can make it difficult to walk. People such as my grandfather try to relieve some the pain by stooping which is tilting the trunk of the body forward while standing or walking. This is a concern because it causes additional strain to the back muscles. More advanced symptoms include pinching of the ribs against the pelvis and difficulty keeping upright. There are different treatments to help with symptom and pain