Rib Hump

Scoliosis is a condition characterised by an excessive sideways curvature of the spine and a variety of other symptoms. One of those symptoms is a visible rib hump, where one or more ribs protrude noticeably. Many patients first spot the signs of scoliosis through changes in their appearance, and a rib hump is a key sign to look out for. It is most obvious when the patient is bending forward.

Why does scoliosis cause a rib hump?

Thoracic scoliosis (a curvature of the spine in the upper half of the back) can cause the patient’s chest to twist into an unusual position. This can lead the chest, pelvis and hips to become misaligned, which in turn will create the recognisable scoliosis rib hump. Whether your scoliosis bends to the left or right, the bend causes tightened muscles on one side and lax, lengthened muscles on the other. This causes the ribs on the concave side to press closer together, and the ribs on the opposite side to separate further. The rib hump can usually be seen at the point where the ribs are separated.

Can the rib hump be treated?

Most forms of scoliosis can be effectively treated through specialised physiotherapy and a regular, specific exercise programme; the patient’s rib hump will usually become less visible as treatment takes effect. If the patient is still growing, it is also possible to treat scoliosis (and the rib hump) through the use of bracing, as can be seen in this study by T. Thulbourne and R. Gillespie. Exercises and stretches that strengthen the muscles on the side of the rib hump can help to reduce the appearance of the hump. Strengthening the muscles in the thoracic region plays a large part in reducing the overall curvature in the upper region of the back, too. Both stretching exercises and postural exercises can be beneficial for scoliosis sufferers, and can generally be done from the comfort of one’s own home. Here at Scoliosis SOS, we offer 4-week therapy courses using our own ScolioGold method, which utilises an array of different highly-specialised physiotherapy methods (including Schroth and SEAS) to treat every aspect of the condition. Click here to see the results that ScolioGold treatment can achieve. Contact Scoliosis SOS today to book an initial consultation with our scoliosis consultants.
Surgery is often recommended once a scoliosis patient’s spinal curve has progressed beyond a certain point, and in the vast majority of cases, ‘surgery’ means spinal fusion surgery. This procedure involves joining two or more vertebrae together to prevent the patient’s curvature from growing; nowadays, this is usually achieved by fastening small metal screws called pedicle screws to the spine, then using a bone graft to ‘fuse’ the vertebrae together However, while this procedure is still the standard surgical scoliosis treatment method in most parts of the world, there are a number of risks associated with spinal fusion. Though rare, the potential complications include:
  • Screws placed in the wrong positions
  • Screws breaking or coming loose
  • Dural lesion
  • Infection
  • Various neurological, pulmonary, and vascular complications
In response to the risks sometimes associated with spinal fusion, a number of other surgical scoliosis treatments have been developed, and some of these new techniques seem to becoming increasingly popular. Today, we’d like to look at three relatively new surgical procedures and why they’re potentially preferable to spinal fusion surgery.

Magnetically-controlled growing rods (MCGR)

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods

Magnetically-controlled growing rods are already being used in more than 20 countries (including the UK and the USA) to treat scoliosis in children under the age of seven. During the MCGR procedure, the surgeon fastens titanium rods to the patient’s spine; these rods have a lengthening mechanism that can be operated magnetically, and after the operation itself, the patient attends a series of minimally-invasive ‘distraction’ procedures where a remote controller is used to lengthen the rods and correct the spinal curvature. This effectively puts the doctor in control of the child’s scoliosis until they have finished growing.

 

Stapling and tethering

Spinal Tethering Operation

Vertebral body stapling (VBS) and vertebral body tethering (VBT) are two minimally-invasive procedures that are usually performed on scoliosis patients who are still growing (e.g. teenagers and pre-teens). VBS uses malleable metal staples to join two or more vertebrae together, while VBT uses pedicle screws attached to a flexible cable at the site of the curvature. VBS is recommended for thoracic curves of 25-35 degrees and lumbar curves under 45 degrees; VBT can be used to treat thoracic curves between 35-70 degrees. Currently available only in the UK, the USA, India, Canada and New Zealand, the tethering and stapling procedures have no major reported complications and are generally less invasive than the more commonly-seen spinal fusion procedure.

Apifix

Apifix for Scoliosis

Apifix is a small implant that is attached to the spine using just two screws. No fusion is performed, and the procedure is not very invasive, leaving a far less visible scar than spinal fusion surgery.

Apifix Scar

This procedure is ideal for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, especially where the curve measures 40-60 degrees. Apifix is currently available in the USA, Israel, and across Europe. Any surgery carries risks and complications, depending on the procedure and patient presentation. If you are looking for a non-surgical alternative to spinal fusion, please contact the Scoliosis SOS Clinic today. We use an exercise-based regime called ScolioGold to correct scoliosis without any surgical intervention whatsoever. We can also assist with recovery after undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of spinal abnormality, referring to an excessive sideways curvature of the spine that occurs for no known reason. Idiopathic scoliosis is usually diagnosed during adolescence, but it can also be found in younger children; when diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 10, it is known as juvenile idiopathic scoliosis.  This form of scoliosis accounts for around 10-15% of all idiopathic scoliosis in children, and unlike adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, it affects more boys than girls.

How is juvenile idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed? 

Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis can be recognised by the following symptoms:
  • Misaligned shoulder blades
  • Clothes that hang unevenly
  • One leg shorter than the other 
  • Uneven hips
  • Back pain
  • Respiratory/cardiovascular issues
If your child is affected by any of the above, the first thing to do is book an appointment with your GP. If your GP believes your child may have juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, they will then pass you onto a specialist who will be able to diagnose the extent of the curvature. They will also be able to recommend a treatment plan to help reduce the curvature of the spine and minimise any pain or discomfort.

How can juvenile idiopathic scoliosis be treated?

Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis tends to get progressively worse (i.e. the angle of the curve increases) if not treated. Fortunately, there are many ways in which juvenile idiopathic scoliosis can be treated, usually starting with a brace to stop the progression of the curvature. Observation is then used to determine whether the curvature continues to worsen as the child grows or if their condition becomes stable. If the curvature continues to progress, your child may need to undergo further treatment for their juvenile idiopathic scoliosis:
  • Casting – Serial casting is sometimes used before bracing in an attempt to delay the need for bracing. Casting is harder to remove than bracing, so some parents may find this easier if their child is reluctant to co-operate.
  • Surgery – In severe cases of juvenile scoliosis, surgical procedures such as spinal fusion or the insertion of magnetic growing rods may be required to halt the progression of the curvature. However, bracing may still be required while your child is still growing. 
  • Physiotherapy – Exercises and stretches are often more preferable for a parent who does not want to put their child through the pain of surgery. The ScolioGold treatment courses we deliver here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic use a range of different non-surgical methods to reduce the curvature of the patient’s scoliosis. Click here to view patient results.
If you’d like to find out more about the Scoliosis SOS Clinic and our non-surgical scoliosis treatment courses, please contact us today.

Athletes With Scoliosis

Many of our patients come to the Scoliosis SOS Clinic with the fear that their condition will prevent them from taking part in their favourite activities. However, while scoliosis may change the way you approach certain activities, it shouldn’t stop you from doing the things that you enjoy.

If you’re a sports-loving scoliosis sufferer, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of athletes with scoliosis, and they certainly haven’t let the condition hold them back. Here are just a couple of well-known athletes who will inspire you to keep loving your sport even after a scoliosis diagnosis!

Usain Bolt

Sport: Sprinting

The fastest man on earth. You might be surprised to see Usain Bolt’s name on this list, but the Olympic medal-winning world record holder does indeed have a curved spine. Bolt claims that, by training hard and keeping his core and back strong, he was able to overcome the problems scoliosis caused early on in his career. Despite being more prone to injuries, Bolt has learned how to manage his condition and achieve unparalleled success in his field.

Natalie Coughlin

Sport: Swimming

The winner of no fewer than 6 Olympic medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Coughlin also attributes the management of her condition to working hard at her sport. She has spoken about how her scoliosis has sometimes caused her back muscles to lock up, but by keeping her muscles healthy, Coughlin ensures that her 27-degree spinal curve doesn’t hold her back from being a very successful competitive swimmer.

Non-surgical scoliosis treatment

We’ve treated lots of athletes here at Scoliosis SOS – in fact, we did a whole blog post about our sporty success stories! We understand what it means to have a love of sport, and this is why we strive to help patients manage and improve their condition. Our ScolioGold therapy programme has been very effective at tackling the symptoms of scoliosis, which means that patients are generally free to continue pursuing the sports they love. 

Of course, there are some sports that aren’t recommended for those suffering with scoliosis, although exceptions can and have been made for those with a passion for said sports. That being said, here is a quick list of the sports that aren’t typically recommended for scoliosis patients:

  • Weight lifting 
  • Impact sports (e.g. American football, rugby, hockey)
  • Hard landing sports (e.g. cheerleading, gymnastics)
  • One-sided sports (e.g. skiing, golf)

To find out more about which sports should typically be avoided and why, read our blog post Scoliosis: Sports to Avoid.

If you have any questions about how our non-surgical treatment courses can help with your scoliosis, we are more than happy to help – please contact us today.

Rolfing

From surgery to stretches, there are a number of ways to treat scoliosis, some of which are more effective than others. One technique that is sometimes used to treat scoliosis is Rolfing (also known as Structural Integration); today, we’d like to take a closer look at this approach.

What is Rolfing?

Rolfing is a form of physical manipulation that has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including scoliosis and other curvatures of the spine. Rather than directly treating the spine itself, Rolfing practitioners instead focus on the tissues that surround the spine. Rolfers massage and manipulate the body’s soft tissues, and this supposedly helps to improve the alignment of the person’s spine.

Is Rolfing effective?

In theory, Rolfing treats scoliosis by improving the muscular structure of the body. ‘Rolfers’ purport to de-rotate the connective tissues that have shortened and tightened around your muscles, thus balancing out the muscles either side of your spine and pulling everything back into place. In practice, however, there is little to no evidence that Rolfing is an effective method for the treatment of scoliosis. The practice of Rolfing is based on founder Ida Rolf’s ideas about energy fields and the Earth’s gravitational pull, but there is no proof that these things have any bearing on the curvature of one’s spine. Muscular imbalance is a genuine issue that must be considered when treating scoliosis, but there is no reason to believe that Rolfing is the best way to address this or any other aspect of the condition.

Alternatives to Rolfing

Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we treat our patients using a combination of scientifically proven exercise-based techniques such as the FITS method, SEAS method and PNF technique. Our ScolioGold treatment programme blends a number of different approaches in order to address every part of each patient’s condition. This includes strengthening the back muscles and reversing the muscular imbalance that a curved spine can cause. Contact Scolios SOS today to book an initial consultation or find out more about our treatment method.