Scoliosis is another common degenerative disease in elders aside from osteporosis. Spine deformities cause swayback gait in elders and in some cases create pain that radiates from hip down to the feet.
What Is Scoliosis in Elders?
Scoliosis in elders happens due to deterioration in the spine. The symptoms will cause uneven spine – one side is positioned higher than the other – causing deformity. Some elders limp or swayback posture while others, whose conditions are evident from x-rays, may not have any pain. Therefore, doctor will follow up on the symptoms without any treatment or bracing.
In some cases, spinal compression onto nearby nerves will cause pain such as radiating pain from hips to feet which affects the lives of their daily routine. Doctor has to diagnose how serious it is. Treatments range from surgery, medication, physical therapy, or steriod injection to the root of the nerve to relief pain so to avoid surgery. If medication works well with the patients, there is no need for additional treatment or surgery.
Care for Scoliosis in Elders
The most common scoliosis in elders is at the waist which is the center of many nervous system. Some elders will have pain from hip down to foot which affects their daily life. But in some scoliosis case or severe deformed spine causing pinched nerves, the patients are at risk of paralysis. Therefore, doctor will recommend change of certain habits, such as avoid lifting heavy objects up and downstairs or stop using vibrating devices for a long period of time. These include high intensity massage device or a drill used by handymen, etc. They are the catalyst for bone degeneration and the cause for scoliosis. Moreover, elders should refrain from smoking as medical data supports that smoking increases the risks of scoliosis in elders.
