Scheuermann’s disease, also known as juvenile osteoquondosis, is a rare disease that causes a deformity of the curvature of the spine, producing an arch of the back.
Generally, the affected vertebrae are those of the chest area and, therefore, it is normal for the affected person to have a slightly forward-facing posture, however, the disease can appear in any other vertebra causing different changes in posture.
- Although it is not always possible to cure.
- There are several forms of treatment for Scheuermann’s disease.
- Which help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
The most common symptoms of Scheuermann’s disease include
Pain usually appears at the top of the spine and gets worse during activities where it is necessary to rotate or bend your back very often, such as in some sports such as gymnastics, dance or golf, for example.
In addition, in more severe cases, vertebral deformity can eventually compress nerves, eventually leading to breathing difficulties.
Diagnosis can usually be done with a simple x-ray exam, where your orthopedic doctor notices the characteristic changes of the disease in your vertebrae; However, your doctor may also order an MRI to identify additional details to help with treatment.
The exact cause of Scheuermann’s disease is not yet known, but the disease appears to be passing from parent to child, indicating hereditary genetic alteration.
Some factors that also seem to increase the risk of developing this disease include osteoporosis, malabsorption, infections and certain endocrine disorders.
Treatment of Scheuermann’s disease varies depending on the degree of deformity and symptoms it presents and therefore each case should be properly evaluated by the orthopedist.
However, in most cases, treatment begins with the use of cold compresses and physiotherapy to relieve pain.Some of the techniques used in physiotherapy may include electrotherapy, acupuncture and certain types of massages.In addition, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Once the pain is relieved, the treatment is aimed at improving movement and ensuring as much scope as possible, being very important to work with a physical therapist, at this stage some stretching and strengthening exercises can also be used to improve posture.
Surgery is usually used only in the most severe cases and repositions spine alignment.