Understanding and Treating Spinal Conditions: From Scoliosis to Spinal Tumours

Understanding and Treating Spinal Conditions: From Scoliosis to Spinal Tumours

The spine is an essential part of the body and serves many purposes, such as keeping our body upright, allowing for movement, and protecting the spinal cord connecting the brain to the rest of the body. It protects the spinal cord, which is crucial in transmitting all signals between the brain and the rest of the body. However, the spine is also prone to a number of disorders that might significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. The Spine Clinic at Apollo Hospitals exclusively deals with diagnosing and treating various disorders affecting the spine, including scoliosis, spinal tumours, and cervical spondylitis.

Common Spine Problems treated at the Apollo Spine Clinic

Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition primarily typified by an abnormal lateral spine deviation. Mild cases usually pass unnoticed, while in extreme forms, significant deformities, discomforts, and even respiratory complications arise. While scoliosis may occur at any point in life, it generally appears during adolescence in young people with growing spurts.

Spinal Tumours
Spinal tumours may be benign or malignant and may arise from the spinal cord, nerve roots, or vertebrae. Any type of tumour that occurs in the spine can result in serious complications because it may compress the spinal cord and/or nerves, leading to pain, neurological deficits, and further symptoms.

Cervical Spondylitis
Cervical spondylitis, also known as cervical osteoarthritis, is a kind of degeneration within the cervical spine that means wear and tear in the neck region. This often results in chronic neck pain, stiffness, and even neurological symptoms like numbness or weakness in the arms.

Herniated Disc
Herniated discs happen when the soft cushions between the vertebrae bulge, irritating the surrounding nerves. It may cause the limbs to feel pain, numbness, or even weakness.

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is when the canal that houses the spinal cord narrows. It may result in pressure being exerted on the spinal cord and nerves. Pain, numbness, and muscle weakness of the lower back or the cervical region are some of the common symptoms.

Symptoms

The understanding of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options of spinal conditions is crucial for their better management and improvement of spine health. The symptoms of conditions affecting the spine vary and may sometimes depend on the disease or condition one is suffering from. Generally, these conditions cause:

• Pain: Chronic lower back or neck pain is the first symptom. The pain could be localised or even radiate across other body parts, such as the arms and legs.
• Stiffness: A feeling of stiffness in the back or neck, which often worsens with movement.
• Numbness or Tingling: The numbness or tingling of the limbs may indicate nerve compression.
• Weakness: Muscle weakness, often affecting the arms or legs, can occasionally indicate an underlying, potentially serious condition concerning the spine.
• Deformity: There is a noticeable curvature of the spine, such as one produced by scoliosis.

Diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis is done to create the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Diagnosis at the Apollo Hospitals usually involves:

• Physical Examination: Detailed physical examination, considering pain intensity, range of motion, and neurological examination.
• Imaging Studies: X-rays, MRI, and CT scans are done to outline the anatomy of the spine and to visualise abnormalities that include herniated discs, tumours, or other spine deformities.
• Electromyography (EMG): EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles to determine the extent of nerve damage or compression.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be carried out for supplementary information in case of an infection or some kind of systemic conditions.

Treatment

Multidisciplinary management at the Apollo Hospitals encompasses conservative and surgical management for disorders affecting the spine.

Conservative Treatment:

• Physical Therapy: Individualised physical therapy can help strengthen muscles around the spine, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
• Medications: Pain is usually treated with pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants.
• Injections: Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain in cases of nerve compression.
• Bracing: Some may require bracing to help stop the further curvature of the spine, as with scoliosis.

Surgical Treatment:

When conservative treatment is insufficient, surgical intervention may be necessary. Advanced surgical options available at the Apollo Hospitals include:

• Spinal Fusion: A surgical procedure in which at least two vertebral bones within the spine are joined together to attain stability and reduce pain.
• Discectomy: Removal of a herniated disc when it causes complete pressure on the surrounding nerves.
• Laminectomy: A small part of the vertebra is taken out to create more room inside the spinal canal; this procedure is often performed for the treatment of a diseased spinal condition called spinal stenosis.
• Tumour Resection: Surgical removal of tumours inside the spine that helps to relieve pressure off the spinal cord and nerves.
• Scoliosis Surgery: Surgical correction of severe spine curvature in patients with scoliosis. This is usually done with rods and screws, which are very vital in allowing the correction of the spinal deformity.

Conclusion

The spine is an important part of the human body. Supported by a team of highly trained spine specialists, Apollo Hospitals boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure that offers all possible treatment options for a wide range of spinal conditions, from conservative management to complex surgical interventions. Apollo Hospitals have remained at the forefront in addressing spine-related health and have given hope and healing to hundreds of patients with spinal ailments.