KYPHOSIS OR SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is a spine disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the spine, or backbone. The spine has normal curves when looking from the side, but it should appear straight when looking from the front. Kyphosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent forward. There is a normal kyphosis in the middle (thoracic) spine. Lordosis is a curve seen from the side in which the spine is bent backward. There is a normal lordosis in the upper (cervical) spine and the lower (lumbar) spine. People with scoliosis develop additional curves to either side, and the bones of the spine twist on each other, forming a C or S shape in the spine.
Kyophosis can happen at any age but is more common in older women. With advancing age the bones in the spine become weak and start to compress or crack.
Scoliosis on the other hand is found in growing children. Mild scoliosis will not cause much harm but if the condition is more severe then the curvature of the spine can affect the proper functioning of the lungs.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
When you first land up in the OPD of a spine specialist, you would get a thorough physical examination. Most of the cases of kyphosis or scoliosis can be very well diagnosed on X-Rays, CT Scan and the best of all MRI Scan. X-Rays at periodic intervals are done to monitor the change in the curvature of the spine over a period of time.
Kyphosis is mostly treated with pain and osteoporosis medication, physical therapy and bracing. Surgery is needed in severe cases of kyphosis in which the surgeon would perform spinal fusion for reducing the spinal curvature. The surgeon inserts pieces of bone between the vertebrae and then fastens the vertebrae together with metal rods and screws until the spine heals together in a corrected position.
The progression of scoliosis can be slowed by wearing spinal brace. In severe cases of scoliosis, spinal fusion surgery is performed as explained above. In some cases where the scoliosis is increasing rapidly, the surgeons may place a rod which is attached to the top and the bottom of the spinal curvature. This rod needs to be changed every six months.
COST OF TREATMENT
The cost of any treatment is quite less if the treatment is done at the early stage of the disease. While mild cases of kyphosis or scoliosis do not require any treatment, you still need to consult a spine specialist at regular intervals. The consultation fee is Rs. 1500. The cost of X-Rays, CT Scan and MRI Scan range between Rs. 600 - 7000.
The cost of physiotherpy ranges between Rs. 500 - 3000 for 1-6 sessions. The spinal brace could cost you Rs. 2000 - 4000. The cost of Spinal Fusion Surgery for Kyphosis or Scoliosis could be in the range of Rs. 1.5 - 3.0 lacs depending upon the amount of bone material used, length of the rod and number of screws used in the surgery.
If you have a corporate insurance policy then the surgery is covered from day one but for individual policies, the surgery would be covered after a waiting period of 2 years for most of the insurance companies. The hospital stay for this surgery would be 3-4 days and you can resume normal activities after a rest of 2-3 weeks. Follow up visits with your spine specialist are absolutely essential.
