Ramsay Spine Center

Dealing With Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which 90 percent of cases, the cause is unknown. Scoliosis can happen to anyone including toddlers. Dr. Luthfi Gatam SpOT-FICS, (K-Spine), an orthopedic specialist who practices in the Ramsay Spine Center at Rumah Sakit Premier Bintaro hospital said “Scoliosis is actually derived from the word skolios which means crooked. This is a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved and when viewed from behind, the spine tends to curve to the right or left. Generally, the spine curves to the left side of the body,” explains Luthfi.

There are many types of scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type. Luthfi said that “idiopathic”, was derived from the word “idiot” and “pathic” and has no known etiology. Luthfi stresses that scoliosis is not a disease, but a descriptive term. All spines have curves. Some curvature in the neck, upper trunk and lower trunk is normal. Humans need these curves to help the upper body maintain proper balance and alignment over the pelvis. However, when there are abnormal side-to-side curves in the spinal column, the condition is called scoliosis. And the problem with scoliosis is that it can progress. Data shows that 10 percent of people with scoliosis are experiencing an advancement in the condition.

People with idiopathic scoliosis can actually carry out normal daily activities. They don’t experience significant abnormalities. But if their scoliosis is progressing, they can suffer from impaired function. “People with scoliosis experience pain in his back, waist and neck. And there is the possibility of impaired lung function and breathing disorders. Impaired heart function and digestion can also occur,” explained Luthfi. Over time, the spinal curvature may get worse. Patients will not even be able to chew and digest properly. “When that happens, the progressing of the scoliosis must be stopped as it can be fatal.”

There is non surgical treatment as well as options for surgery to stop the scoliosis from progressing, as well as to balance the body, to correct the posture and to improve the quality of life of patients. Non-surgical treatment usually consists of swimming, stretching, physiotherapy and dorsal exercise. This is effective to strengthen the muscles. “But this treatment is only for patients with a spinal curvature of under 20 degrees,” said Lutfi. “Patients with a spinal curvature of 20 to 40 degrees should use a neck and body brace to correct or restrain the progress of the scoliosis. For a spinal curvature that exceeds 40 degrees, the right medical treatment would be surgery.” Lutfi explained that the surgery can stop the progress of scoliosis, as well as correct the crooked bones.

According to Luthfi, today scoliosis patients in Indonesia can easily access medical help as Rumah Sakit Premier Bintaro hospital now has a spine center. “Ramsay Spine Center provides facilities and services to solve all types of spinal problems in an integrated and comprehensive way. In Ramsay Spine Center, spinal problems are handled by a team of doctors from various specialized fields, such as orthopedic spine specialists, neurologists, neurophysiology specialists, medical rehabilitation specialists and radiology specialists.”