SCOLIOSIS AND MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Scoliosis or curvature of the spine affects many individuals with nerve and muscle disease.

This mostly happens to people with muscular dystrophy because muscles of either side of the spine show weakness.

CAUSES

• Congenital scoliosis: caused by a defect at birth.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: caused by abnormal muscles or nerves.
• Degenerative scoliosis: this may result from trauma, bone collapse, back surgery or osteoporosis
• Idiopathic scoliosis: has no identifiable cause but evidence show that it might be inherited. 

TREATMENT

• Bracing: This treatment is common to adolescents who have scoliosis of about 25- 40 degrees,especially if they are still maturing. In muscular dystrophy this type of treatment is normally done to boys with duchenne.

• Surgery: those who have curves above 50 degrees are normally scheduled for surgery. The ultimate goal is to make sure the curve does not worsen but this does not straighten  the spine. Metallic rods are placed on each side of the spine to keep it straight.

Scoliosis can also bring about complications in breathing, if the curve deforms the ribs this eventually affects the lungs. When the spine curves pain and discomfort is also felt due to the stretched ligaments and tissues especially if an individual has backache it can lead to that person being bedridden.

If you have muscular dystrophy it is advisable to stay active as much as possible and follow the routine exercises your doctor has designed for you, this is so because one exercise routine may be detrimental to another.