Question 1

24 y/o f. xr of thoracolumbar spine showed rotatory scoliosis (18) & minimal spondylitic spurring on t12.  please explain this.

Accepted Answer

Idiopathic scoliosis: Firstly, who determined 18? I would not trust the radiology report, it should be done by a scoliosis surgeon. Otherwise, all this means is that you had typical adolescent scoliosis with a reasonable curve but below the threshold for surgery and arguable even bracing, although I brace kids at 15 degrees. Your curve will not progress since you are skeletally mature.

Question 2

having scoliosis surgery and fusion to thoracolumbar spine to pelvis and l5/s1 decompression with multilevel osteotomies.  what happens in surgery ?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar scoliosis: Simple. Incision made in back to visualize spine to be fused. Length of incision appropriate for fusion. The facet joints are removed and the bone prepared for fusion. At l5-s1, facet and disk removed, and spacer placed into disk along with bone graft. Multiple laminectomy and facet excisions (osteotomy) to make spine more flexible. Rods/screws placed to maintain correction. Bone graft placed.

Question 3

how to treat levoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on how large the curve is, what symptoms you have, what your goals are. See a spinal specialist who cares for scoliosis to evaluate you and give you options.

Question 4

i injured my lower back pushing a car out of snow. i had a back x-ray, is showed mild osteophytosis in the thoracolumbar spine, what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

Osteophytosis?: The term means you have multiple bone spurs along the spine segment you had xrayed.  Alone, osteophytes are not particularly worrisome.  They document wear ; tear on your back which should be no surprise if you are pushing cars and are 67.  If you have local back pain you probably more likely have a muscular injury from exertion.  If pain radiates into legs, MRI would be more helpful.

Question 5

degenerative changes to the thoracolumbar spine including the costovertebral joints. could someone explain?

Accepted Answer

These are most : Likely normal age related changes that can be accelerated by being obese, a smoker or having a family history of arthritis. Generally, these are more apparent in men v women at an earlier age but more prevalent as we enter middle age with this increasing with age. Most do not have symptoms.

Question 6

i have mild levoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine, l5-s1. how to treat this. thank you?

Accepted Answer

Scoliosis treatment: Levoscoliosis implies that you have a curvature of your spine that points to your left. The l5-s1 disc is often associated with a compensatory fractional curve. Typically, treatment tends to be conservative - pt, medications, and on occasion, spinal injections. Bracing is typically reserved for children with scoliosis who are still growing. Surgery is reserved for only severe cases of scoliosis.

Question 7

8 year old begin complaining of back pain and xray shows 11 degrees of levoscoliosis of thoracolumbar spine from approximately t9 through l3?

Accepted Answer

Cause or effect ??: Mild scoliosis as described will not generally cause pain.However,pain can cause a kid to splint or twist toward the direction of pain &amp;  produce an x-ray  with that appearance. A history and exam could better reveal the importance of this finding. If it is true scoliosis at 8 it is worrisome as it usually worsens in the pre-teen/teen years if it is not treated.

Question 8

my son is 12 years old. his recent xray shows primary thoracolumbar scoliosis of 13.2 concave to the left. does he need a back brace or what would the treatment be?

Accepted Answer

Depends on details: The pediatric orthopedic spine doctors usually consider a brace if the angle has reached 20-25 degrees and the teen still has significant years of growth left, or if the angle is less than 20-25 degrees but has rapidly progressed at least 5 degrees at the 4 to 6-month follow-up appointment. That means a follow-up scoliosis x-ray is important to do, usually twice a year.

Question 9

what is thoracolumbar scoliosis?

Accepted Answer

A curved spine: Scoliosis means an abnormal curvature of the spine. Thoracolumbar means that it involves both the thoracic spine or mid back and the lumbar spine or low back.

Question 10

what can be done for  osteoporosis and thoracolumbar scoliosis?

Accepted Answer

Prevention: Weight bearing exercise , proper nutrition and  limited sun exposure helps to prevent osteoporosis. Even if present already, there are medications to help this condition. Osteopenia is not osteoporosis but a relative low bone mass that makes you a higher risk for osteoporosis. Finally, physical therapy and corrective posture devices will help scoliosis. Surgery is last resort for severe cases.

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Doctor answers about:

Scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine

A member asked:

24 y/o f. xr of thoracolumbar spine showed rotatory scoliosis (18) & minimal spondylitic spurring on t12. please explain this.

A member asked:

Having scoliosis surgery and fusion to thoracolumbar spine to pelvis and l5/s1 decompression with multilevel osteotomies. what happens in surgery ?

A member asked:

How to treat levoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine?

A member asked:

I injured my lower back pushing a car out of snow. i had a back x-ray, is showed mild osteophytosis in the thoracolumbar spine, what does that mean?

A member asked:

Degenerative changes to the thoracolumbar spine including the costovertebral joints. could someone explain?

A member asked:

I have mild levoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine, l5-s1. how to treat this. thank you?

A member asked:

8 year old begin complaining of back pain and xray shows 11 degrees of levoscoliosis of thoracolumbar spine from approximately t9 through l3?

A member asked:

My son is 12 years old. his recent xray shows primary thoracolumbar scoliosis of 13.2 concave to the left. does he need a back brace or what would the treatment be?

A member asked:

What is thoracolumbar scoliosis?

A member asked:

What can be done for osteoporosis and thoracolumbar scoliosis?

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