What does it mean when your doctor tells you your curve in your spine is over 60 percent?
This has to do with Scoliosis. Isn't Scoliosis measured in degrees? If so, what does the 60 percent mean?
2006-12-11 23:50:07 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. The normal spine curves gently backward in the upper back and gently inward in the lower back. When viewed from the side, the spine should show a mild roundness in the upper back and shows a degree of swayback (inward curvature) in the lower back. When a person with a normal spine is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be straight. When a person with scoliosis is viewed from the front or back, the spine appears to be curved.
In severe curves, misshapen ribs may reduce the amount of air the lungs can hold and may cause the heart to work harder to pump blood through the compressed lung tissue. Over time, this can lead to heart failure.
Those who have curves beyond 40 to 50 degrees are often considered for surgery. The goal is to make sure the curve does not get worse, but surgery does not perfectly straighten the spine. During the procedure, metallic implants are utilized to correct some of the curvature and hold it in the correct position until bone graft, placed at the time of surgery, consolidates and creates a rigid fusion in the area of the curve. Surgery usually involves joining the vertebrae together permanently -- called spinal fusion.
2006-12-12 00:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by c.s. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
scoliosis is a degenerative disease, it grows worse. My dad reached 85% by the time he was 50. he had to have surgery. It was two very severe surgeries, but two years later Daddy is still Superman. He is better now than he was when he was 20. But I will say the surgeries are NOT any picnic. Everyday for almost a year was a struggle. Learning to walk, breathing, everything has to be relearned. Try Webmd on the topic of scoliosis, there is a great article there
2006-12-12 00:04:32 · answer #2 · answered by combratable 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the percentage of the curvature relates to how far off center the spine is.
Check out the first link below for articles specific to scoliosis. The 2nd link is spinal anatomy that will help you understand what some of the scoliosis articles are talking about.
2006-12-12 00:04:32 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
60 degrees in scoliosis is pretty severe curvature.
You probably want to google it or read on WebMd.
2006-12-11 23:54:54 · answer #4 · answered by Agent99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋