By Sally Ann Quirke

Scoliosis can be simply defined as a curve within the spine – whenever there is a deviation in your spine to the right or left, it is called a scoliosis.

There are 2 types of Scoliosis: Congenital and Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Congenital scoliosis is when you are born with a structural deviation in the spine. Your back will twist either left or right from birth. However, it often only starts to become visible at the ages of 2-5 or sometimes as late as the early teenage years. The cause of congenital scoliosis is not clear. It is basically hereditary and causes bones (vertebrae ) within your back to sometimes fuse together and then further grow in a crooked manner.

When identified early on, congenital scoliosis can be operated on with a positive effect on the growth of your spine. This is, however, a complex procedure and serious thought should be given as this surgical intervention can influence the whole quality of your life. Always look for more than one medical opinion.

Congenital scoliosis also leads to imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Any physical treatment is directed at relieving the symptoms in the majority of cases (management), unless surgical intervention has been successful with structural correction. I find that early physiotherapy post-operation is a necessity in to manage congenital scoliosis effectively.

Idiopathic scoliosis on the other hand is where you develop a twist in the spine after an injury, or a following a medical condition. Examples that I see involve clients over sixty who have osteoporosis or clients who have disc injuries in the back (a deviation happens in the spine to reduce pressure on the disc affected.)

Most idiopathic scoliosis may be corrected with physiotherapy management and other related scoliosis treatments. However, when a scoliosis is left untreated for longer than a couple of weeks a full recovery can become increasingly difficult. There are many causes of scoliosis, diagnosing the cause of scoliosis is most important in the relief of this spine condition. Make sure you get specialist medical and physiotherapy help as soon as possible.

Scoliosis and Related Back Pain.

In my own experience with scoliosis over the past 20 years – muscle and ligament pain are the most common associated back pain. On one side of the spinal twist the ligaments, muscles, joints, discs and nerves are all compressed. By comparison, the other side these structures are increasingly being over-stretched. As a result – you will probably feel pain and symptoms linked with the compressed and overstretched structures. Pain comes about from these soft tissues being overstretched and gradually damaged – resulting in inflammation and degradation with each of these structures. Each one of these can produce the symptoms of back pain you will probably experience over time.

Idiopathic scoliosis can be frequently reversed when tackled early. Mobilisation therapy and exercise and are my own treatments of choice. However, should ignore your scoliosis and its related pain for extended periods, reversing the damage can become more difficult. Eventual joint damage may develop which leads to potentially far more trouble for your back. Congenital scoliosis also demands an early intervention – surgery alongside exercise therapy is the most used treatment of choice with this condition.

In conclusion, it is important to obtain diagnosis as early on as possible. In my opinion, this early intervention will greatly reduce the occurrence of back pain in relation to scoliosis.

Sally Ann Quirke is a Chartered PhysioTherapist based in Fermoy, Cork, Ireland. She specialises in the relief of Back Pain – and also runs a website: http://www.managebackpain.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Ann_Quirke

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Scoliosis Resources

Scoliosis Information
Scoliosis – Mayo Clinic

Five Secrets to Perfect Recovery From Spinal Fusion Surgery

By Mike A Reynolds

You are going through intense and debilitating back pain, and now your doctor has told you that Spinal Fusion Surgery is your best hope of recovery. Apart from the pain there is now intense anxiety about having major surgery. This worry is so bad that sometimes you can’t eat or sleep properly. Does this sound like you? Well you are not alone and hopefully this article will help you recover well and gain the life without pain that you desire.

The first tip may seem obvious but it can be forgotten. Listen your doctor, and most importantly follow his/her advice. He/she will more than likely give you pain management, recommend a course of physiotherapy and give you a list of do’s and don’ts. We quite often listen to our doctors, but don’t always put their advice into action. Follow the advice straight away, and stick to it. Occasionally there are complications with Spinal Fusion Surgery, but if you communicate problems to your doctor quickly then there is little reason why your recovery shouldn’t go well. During your recovery your pain should gradually decrease, but if it doesn’t, discuss with your doctor the best course.

Apart from what the doctor orders there are a number of things that you can do to naturally help the recover process. The key secret to aiding your own recovery is to think positive. This can also be called ‘mind over matter’. Thinking that you will never recover will make the process will take a lot longer. Don’t expect your pain to vanish overnight however. Disappointment can also lead to a negative state of mind. Be positive and realistic. Think about ways that you can mentally aid your recovery and try to apply them.

During your recovery you may find that a plate is literally the only thing that you can pick up so before you undergo your surgery it’s a good idea to prepare for your recovery. Get your freezer stocked up with ready cooked meals and as many groceries as you can, arrange your house so that you can get in and out of bed easily and arrange a comfortable chair. If anything needs to be arranged do it before the surgery if you can.

After Spinal Fusion Surgery doctors usually arrange a course of physical therapy with a qualified therapist. He/she will be able to help you with an exercise routine that will regain the strength in your back whilst staying within your physical limits. It’s important to start this as soon as you can. Your muscles need to regain their strength.

Proper rest is also an important factor in your recovery. But it’s also a good idea to get up during the day and wear yourself out a little so you sleep at night. It’s also important to keep the mind active, maybe take up that hobby that you’ve been meaning to for ages. You will be staying at home so make sure that the day and night are separated.

Spinal Fusion Surgery may seem like a scary prospect, but if you follow these simple but powerful secrets there is no reason why you should not have a problem free recovery, and before you know it you’ll be waking up, energised and active without the dark spectre of back pain blighting your life.

Mike Reynolds has put together a comprehensive and complimentary report on Spinal Fusion Surgery that will help dispel any fear and anxiety you may have about this procedure. To download it instantly visit http://www.stressfreebacksurgery.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_A_Reynolds

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Spinal Fusion Resources

Spinal Fusion
What You Should Know About Spinal Fusion

A Primer of Spinal Orthopedic Procedures

Both orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are trained to do spinal surgery, and many doctors from both disciplines specialize in spinal surgery. The only difference between what they can do is that only neurosurgeons are trained to do procedures that involve the spinal cord, and only orthopedic surgeons are trained to do procedures to correct deformities like scoliosis.

Spinal orthopedic procedures may involve the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid and upper back) or lumbar spine (low back). Different techniques are needed in each area, but the spinal orthopedic procedures themselves are very similar.

CLICK HERE For Very Important Spinal Surgery Information

Some spinal orthopedic procedures involve open surgery, where the surgeon cuts through the muscles along the spinal cord and does surgery on the spine. The surgeon is usually able to approach the spine through your back (posterior spinal orthopedic procedures), but sometimes he must go through your body from the front (anterior spinal orthopedic procedures) to get at the injured area.

Some spinal orthopedic procedures can be done with minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Endoscopic surgery causes less trauma to surrounding tissues and gives the surgeon better visualization of the damage.

To understand the different types of spinal orthopedic procedures, we need to understand a little terminology. The corpus or body of a vertebra is large, round bony part that gives the spine its stability. Between each pair of vertebrae is a disc, a gel-filled cushion that keeps the discs apart so that the spine can move freely and to provide space for the nerve roots to leave the spinal cord. The facets are the joints between vertebrae. The laminae are part of the bone that surrounds the spinal canal and protects the spinal cord.

· Corpectomy usually involves the cervical spine. The surgeon goes through the neck from the front and removes the body of one or more vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
· Laminectomy involves removing part of the lamina to relieve pressure on a nerve root. The vertebrae may or may not be fused.
· Discectomy is the removal of an intervertebral disc that is bulging out and putting pressure on a nerve root. The spine may be fused to keep the vertebrae apart, or an artificial disc can be inserted.
· Vertebroplasty means that the surgeon repairs the vertebra. This is often done as a minimally invasive surgery.
· Facetectomy is the removal of the facet joint to relieve pressure on a nerve root. Artificial facet joints may be available in the near future, similar to artificial knee or hip joints.

Your surgeon will tell you which spinal orthopedic procedure you need and explain exactly what he will do. This primer only explains the basics; your surgeon will give you information that is specific to you and the spinal orthopedic procedure you need.

About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Spinal Surgery Resources

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Neurological And Spinal Surgery

The Cost Of Getting Bariatric Surgery

The cost of Bariatric surgery can be quite high. The typical price of an operation can be $25,000 or more. Medical insurance coverage varies by state and insurance provider, and although some states have legislation in place that requires insurers to offer weight loss surgery for patients, providing it meets health criteria laid down by the National Institutes of Health, other states do not. This means that patients who would benefit from bariatric surgery often have to contend with providers that have not yet accepted that this kind of weight loss surgery can deliver powerful medical benefits that will save them money in the long run. A patient encountering this problem may have to work with his or her surgeon to prove to the health insurance provider that the proposed surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but a potentially life-saving operation that will minimize future health problems.

Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery and are on Medicare will be glad to know that it covers weight loss surgery for morbidly obese patients with an obesity-related or condition. Morbid obesity is defined as 100 or more pounds overweight or a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.

Of course, the costs do not end once a patient successfully undergoes bariatric surgery. Because weight loss can be significant, many individuals are left with loose, sagging skin that no longer has the elasticity to fit the new, slimmer shape. Since neither exercise nor diet will help tighten loose skin, many bariatric patients choose plastic surgery as a remedy. The cost of bariatric-related plastic surgery operations can vary significantly, depending on the patient’s condition, complications, the type of anesthesia, and other factors. Some of the more popular post-bariatric surgery procedures include: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), body lift (circumferential panniculectomy), brachioplasty (arm lift), breast lift, augmentation, or reduction, face and/or neck lift, and thigh lift.

About the Author: To read about low potassium diet, normal iron levels and other information, visit the Health And Nutrition Tips site.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Bariatric Surgery Resources

Consumer Guide To Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric Surgery

Ultrasonic Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove small pockets of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. There are several types of liposuction procedures available, Tumescent liposuction involves the injection if a large amount of anesthetic into the area being treated.Lipo selection uses the same concept without disturbing the surrounding tissue. In ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL), sound waves are used to liquefy the fat before it is removed. Ultrasonic liposuction is not really a very new technique. Ultrasonic liposuction can be performed with either the traditional, wet, or tumescent methods. “Ultrasonic” means high-pitched sound. The use of ultrasound waves helped to make certain liposuction procedures easier, but not faster.

Main advantages to an ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) procedure are typically: less tissue damage, less bleeding, and large volumes of fat removed. Commonly involved areas are the anterior part of the neck (under the chin), upper arms and armpits, male chest/breasts, trunk, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, inner knees, calves, and ankles. The use of UAL allows safer removal of larger amounts of fat than with standard liposuction. This increase in safety is due to the reduced amount of blood removed with UAL. There are also different risks and precautions necessary for an ultrasound liposuction surgery. Since ultrasound is a high-energy disturbance, the risk of burns and nerve damage is increased. UAL causes blood clots in the small blood vessels.

Internal UAL produces heat and elevates the temperature of targeted fatty tissue. Ultrasonic liposuction also has complications such as nerve damage but probably causes less bleeding and irregularity. Usually the incisions required for this technique are bigger to accommodate some sort of skin shield that protects the adjacent areas of skin from being burned by the probe. Injury to peripheral nerves is possible with UAL. Patients who have had internal UAL appear to have an increased incidence of prolonged numbness consistent with injury to sensory nerves. The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view, even in a bikini. However, other cosmetic problems may occur, even it your surgeon is very skilled.

The high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations will weaken all generations of internal ultrasonic cannulae. The ultrasonic waves damage the probe with each use, and even the newest probes must be rejected after as little as twenty operations. Such mounting costs can be prohibitive and are always passed onto the patients. An emerging generation of devices uses an external ultrasound diffuse to treat areas before engaging in a more traditional liposuction procedure. Though these devices avoid the chance of a local tissue burn, it requires a large amount of ultrasound energy to pass down through the skin and can damage the outer layers of the body. The results of such external systems are currently under debate, with some doctors claiming success while others say it’s just a gimmick.

About the Author: Juliet Cohen writes articles for plastic surgery and skin care blog. She also writes articles on beauty tips.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Liposuction Resources

Cost Of Liposuction
Consumer Guide To Liposuction

A Lower Cost Weight Loss Surgery Solution

People who are obese suffer from various physical and mental issues. Therefore, even after trying so many techniques if you are unable to shed the weight, it is smart to consult with your doctor the process of a gastric bypass surgery lose weight.

However, the high cost of bypass surgery may not seem to be affordable to anybody. So, the cost for mini gastric bypass may very well accommodate the budget of such patients. A simple mini gastric bypass surgical procedure reduces extra fats, calorie intake, and absorption of foods from the small intestines.

Generally, the cost of this surgery is approximately $15,000 – $20,000. Open incision and laparoscopic surgery are a couple of techniques that are utlilized for mini gastric bypass. Because most insurance businesses are insuring the procedure gastric weight loss surgery, it is a good idea to verify with your insurance company before you opt for any of the surgical techniques.

If you find out that the insurance company will not pay for such surgeries then choose to go for a mini gastric bypass surgery would be a great decision. As conventional bypass surgery normally comes to above $20,000, a “mini” surgery will help you lose at least some weight at a much lesser price.

On the other hand, there are some insurance companies who will insure this mini or conventional gastric bypass surgery subject to a person being qualified. To qualify, an individual has to be overweight by at least 100 pounds.

Also, the individual must have previously shown a continued attempts to reduce their weight from alterations in their lifestyle such as diet and exercise. The eligible patient should also not have any of the following: signs of depression past or present, psychiatric disorder or alcohol abuse.

In addition, it is also required for the patient to be considered obese for at least 5 years pre-surgery to become a qualified patient to request an insurance claim to take care of the gastric bypass surgery expense.

Besides the expenses, the added cost of emotions and physical anguish is there too. The primary reason that lowers the mini gastric bypass expenses and the pain involved in this technique is because the different incisions made for this method are very tiny.

These incisions are made on the interior of the abdomen and a laparoscope is used along with custom made instruments for the surgery. In summary, if you want an economical weight loss solution, mini gastric bypass surgery is without a doubt a smart consideration.

About the Author: To learn more about Gastric Bypass Surgery, or to find a lap band surgeon, please visit http://www.lapbandmd.net for current articles and information.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Resources

Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass Surgery

Tummy Tuck Scar FactsYou Must Know

Scars received from tummy tuck surgery will never totally fade away, but most clothing will camouflage them sufficiently for them not to be seen. Your abdomen will be painful and swollen after your surgery for the first few weeks,taking pain relievers should help you overcome this pain. People with strong abdomen muscles will not feel the swelling or pain as badly, even so you will probably need about two to four weeks rest from work.

The cosmetic surgeon will use all his skills to conceal your tummy tuck scar as best he can. By virtue of performing the procedure better in the first place, or by removing the scars afterwards with follow up surgery. (Some of the other factors which influence the severity of the scars are how well your body heals, how your body reacts to scars, and which procedure was employed by the surgeon. The severity of the actual scar can be influenced by a number of factors such as the type of procedure, if any complications arose,and how your body reacts and heals itself. How severe the scar turns out to be can be influenced by a number of factors what type of procedure was performed,how your body copes with healing, and if any complications arose during your surgery.) The scars healing process can be further helped by applying a seroid cream to the scar a few days after surgery this will also help to avoid any further complications. This treatment should be repeated for up to about six weeks after surgery and should help your scars to to fade faster.

You will notice after your surgery that the scars will go through phases and you will see a gradual decrease in the visibility of the scars. Tummy tuck scars usually look at there worst some 3- 6 months after surgery,at this point they will usually change color and fade and remain flat.

Tummy tuck scars are unfortunatley unavoidable if the procedure has been done correctly to achieve the best results in the tightening and flattening process. Having a scar is a small price to pay for achieving the desired result.

The vast majority of surgeons will try and make your scars as neat and tidy as possible and conceal them below the bikini line. It is important that you are mindful that any tummy tuck procedure will leave behind permanent scars which in some cases can be quite long dependant on the particular procedure.

As previousley mentioned all of these procedure leave a scar, however the mini tummy tuck leaves a much less conspicous scar. A larger scar is the result of a full tummy tuck procedure this scar is usually w shaped or u shaped and stretches from one hip to another. You should also expect some scarring to a lesser degree around the naval area.

The vast majority of tummy tuck surgeons will have a photo album of before and after photographs depicting scars and how they healed. Doing this will enable you to asses the level of scarring you can expect from your tummy tuck procedure.

About the Author: Discover more information on Tummy Tuck Scars and Tummy Tuck Surgery at Author Robert H authoritative site http://www.tummytucks.info-net-work.com Anyone is free to reproduce this article free of charge providing the author box is reproduced in its entirety with the full and active links working.

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Tummy Tuck Resources

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Tummy Tuck Information

What You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Varicose Veins Surgeries

For some people, treating varicose veins may not just be for medical reason. If you have varicose veins, instead of just causing you pain or discomfort on the affected areas, it might also be something that hurts your confidence because of the unsightly marks which appear on your skin. These dark blue and purple veins might be something that you want to hide or diminish altogether. To get rid of these problems permanently, you may want to consider surgery to remove your varicose veins.

Different Types Of Varicose Veins Surgeries

Before you get any treatment for varicose veins, you should know that most of the time varicose veins alone aren’t going to cause you any other medical problems. However, if you already have any other medical conditions, such as diabetes or other health issues, your varicose veins might actually add to your overall poor health. Varicose veins can get inflamed, or even cause skin ulcers. To avoid possible medical problems arising as a result of your varicose veins, and to feel better about your physical appearance, getting surgery to treat varicose veins can be a good idea for many people.

For some people, getting rid of unsightly varicose veins can be as easy as using the right combination of lotions and creams that will shrink the veins and toughen the skin surrounding them. However, this might not work for all people, especially for severe cases of varicose veins.

Some of the surgeries available for varicose vein removal include varicose veins stripping or ligation and laser surgery.

Varicose Veins Ligation Procedure

Varicose vein ligation, which is also known as varicose vein stripping, consists of small incisions made by a doctor to remove the damaged parts of the vein and reconnect the vein in a different place to help the blood to flow normally.

The incision is normally made in the groin on the side of the body where the varicose vein is located. Another similar incision will then be made by the knee or ankle. Through these, the surgeon will tie the vein to cut off any further blood circulation to the area. He will then pass a wire connected to a small tool through this vein and pull the vein out through the bottom cut. However these veins are not always necessarily removed but sometimes just sealed off and left in the body.

Laser Surgery

As the medical technology advances you can now undergo non-invasive laser surgery for your varicose vein removal. Laser surgery will destroy the damaged vein where the laser passes through. The advantage to this type of surgery is that you get a shorter recovery period. This means that you can be up and about much quicker if you opt for this procedure instead of varicose veins stripping. The disadvantage of laser surgery is that it is more expensive than the other options available.

There are various types of surgeries available for varicose vein removal that you can choose from, depending on your needs and your budget. Varicose veins are easily removed, and should be checked out by your doctor if you have them. Your doctor will also be able to answers any questions which you may have on the various varicose veins treatment procedures available and which one is best for you.

Success Rate

Only about a tenth of patients who receive a varicose vein ligation have further problems. 86% of people who have had skin ulcers from varicose veins, and underwent varicose vein ligation as a result, found no recurrence in the ulcers. On the other hand, people who used compression stockings for treatment of their skin ulcers saw only a 72% success rate from this procedure. As for laser surgery, it has a success rate of up to 98% and has minimal side effects.

Varicose veins surgery are usually done as a day surgery, although some doctors may require you to stay overnight to monitor your recovery. Varicose veins surgery is frequently done under general anaesthesia so that you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Although the removal of varicose veins through surgery is generally the most effective treatment, there are a few other non-surgical alternatives available for you to consider as well.

About the Author: Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about the

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This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Varicose Vein Resources

Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

When Do You Need Back Surgery?

Most of us are familiar with back pain of some kind. You bend over to pick something up or twist the wrong way, and the pain hits you like a baseball bat. Even though it hurts a lot, however, you usually get better in a few days by resting, using a heating pad or ice packs and taking anti-inflammatory medications.

Sometimes your back pain doesn’t go away, though. It may have been getting worse for a long time, and you’re tired of suffering with it. You’ve probably tried a lot of things besides home treatment, like prescription medications, steroid injections and physical therapy, and you’re still not getting relief.

Physicians are reluctant to suggest back surgery unless it’s really necessary and nothing else helps. Any kind of surgery has risks associated with it; some risks associated with back surgery are:
· General surgical risks, such as reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, infection, lung problems and blood clots.
· Problems with the surgery itself, like poor healing of bone grafts.
· Problems due to spinal nerve damage, like weakness and paralysis, urinary or fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
· Poor surgical results. Back surgery doesn’t always relieve the pain, and some people even get “failed back surgery syndrome” with persistent pain.
· Problems due to scar tissue formation. As time goes by, scar tissue shrinks, and it can cause pressure on the spinal nerves and your back pain can come back.

There are some newer “minimally invasive” procedures using endoscopes. The surgeon inserts a small endoscope through a tiny incision. Using a microscopic camera, she can directly visualize the damage and repair it through the endoscope. Instead of cutting the muscles, she pushes them aside, which means there is less scarring after surgery. This is an exciting development because endoscopic surgery can be as effective as open back surgery, there are fewer complications, you’re in the hospital for a shorter time, and you recover faster.

With all of that said, however, there are times when you really do need back surgery. Your doctor may recommend it if:
· You’ve had back pain for six months or longer that is not getting better with other treatments.
· You have weakness in your arms or legs, trouble grasping things or numbness/tingling in your legs and feet.
· You have lost bladder or bowel control
· You have spinal instability.
· You have spinal deformity.

When you can’t manage the pain or when you’re having functional problems because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves are being impaired—that’s when you need back surgery.

About the Author: David Betz is a consultant doing work for Laser Spine Surgery http://www.laserspineinstitute.com and Houston Web Site Design http://www.novatexsolutions.com

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.

Back Surgery Resources

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