Did you know according to the National Scoliosis Foundation, around two to three percent of people have scoliosis in the US alone? This makes up for 7 million US population. That’s a huge number!
However, there are different types of scoliosis. The patient may present with an abnormal curve on the left side or the right side. In levoconvex scoliosis, the spine inclines more on the left side, a condition known as Levoscoliosis.
So, what is levoscoliosis? What can you do to treat it at an early age? What are the causes and risk factors leading to levoconvex scoliosis? Do you know what levocurvature means? What are thoracic and lumbar levoscoliosis?
Don’t worry! We have answers to all your questions! So, let’s begin!
What Is Levoscoliosis?
As difficult as the term sounds, there is a very easy way to remember the meaning of levoscoliosis.
Simply put, Levo means to the left and scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine.
Now, putting the two together, Levoscoliosis means an abnormal curvature of the spine on the body’s left side.
Levoscoliosis presents with a soft S or a hard C-shape curve in the spine, varying from person to person.
The occurrence of levoconvex scoliosis is less common than dextroscoliosis. However, it’s not uncommon either. And luckily, most patients have mild levoscoliosis, rarely leading to the severe form.
Moreover, the main difference between levoscoliosis and dextroscoliosis is that in the latter type of scoliosis, the spine protrudes more towards the right side.
Levoconvex Scoliosis
Levoconvex scoliosis comes under thoracic levoscoliosis definition. Only that it more accurately describes the condition of the spine.
What is levoconvex scoliosis?
In simple words, it is the convex curvature of the spine towards the left side, more precisely known as levoconvex curvature.
The convex defines the outward bulging, that is, the curved part of the spine is on the body’s left side.
However, a levocurvature is an atypical form of scoliosis. And complication arises when there is thoracic levoscoliosis, as it can cause heart and lung impairment leading to severe symptoms of scoliosis.
A condition known as levoconvex lumbar scoliosis can also occur, but it is rather uncommon than thoracic levoconvex scoliosis.
Moving on, there are around two different spinal regions where levoscoliosis can occur.
Thoracic Levoscoliosis
To understand the concept of thoracic levoscoliosis, you would first want to know the normal anatomy of the spine and the normal anatomical structures that can get affected due to the levoconvex curvature in the thorax.
Our thoracic spine has a total of twelve levels, typically represented as T1 to T12. And the thoracic cavity has a ribcage protecting the two vital organs, that is, the heart and lungs.
Usually, there is mild thoracic levoscoliosis that does not necessarily affect the heart and lungs.
However, in severe levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, the patient complains of breathlessness. This is because the abnormal spine projects over the ribcage, which in turn compresses the lungs or heart.
However, the good news is, levoscoliosis less commonly affects the thoracic spine and usually the curve is on the right side in thoracic scoliosis.
Note: A normal spine does not have anything to do with the organs located in the thoracic cavity. But in levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine (mid-back), the levoconvex curvature can press upon these organs causing symptoms related to the function of the compressed organ.
Lumbar Levoscoliosis
Unlike the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine has five levels in total, that is, L1 to L5. Moreover, lumbar levoscoliosis is more common than its thoracic counterpart.
However, like thoracic scoliosis, some patients can have a mild lumbar levoscoliosis sparing the organs.
What organs are we talking about here anyway?
Remember that the spleen and intestine are the two commonly involved organs in levoscoliosis of the lumbar spine.
Furthermore, levoconvex lumbar scoliosis usually presents as a C-shape curve in the lumbar region. It is this levoconvex curvature that puts stress upon the abdominal organs, causing pain and associated symptoms.
Thoracolumbar Levoscoliosis
As the name implies, both the thorax and lumbar spine are affected in the case of thoracolumbar scoliosis.
It almost always presents as an S-shaped curvature of the spine. And more commonly the spine curves towards the right side.
However, it is pretty hard to treat this kind of scoliosis. This is because it involves both the upper and lower segments of the spine leading to failure of associated organs in advanced cases.
Causes of Levoscoliosis
Before we process, note that around 80% of the time, the cause of levoscoliosis is not determined, known as idiopathic scoliosis.
Following are the commonest levoscoliosis causes;
- Poor Posture
- Congenital defect
- Neuromuscular pathology
- Degenerative disorders, mostly age-related changes like, arthritis.
- Trauma to the spine
- Idiopathic
Levoscoliosis Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms vary in each patient. It depends on how severe the curve is, which is determined by the Cobb angle.
Note: A Cobb angle is measured to rule out the presence of scoliosis in a patient. Usually, an angle of 10-degree or more is counted as scoliosis.
Following are the signs and symptoms of levoscoliosis;
- Primarily back pain
- Visible curvature of the spine in severe cases. Sometimes in mild levoscoliosis, there are no noticeable changes.
- Uneven shoulders with protruding shoulder blades
- One leg shorter than the other
- Unequal hip and slightly oblique waist
- Difficulty in breathing in thoracic levoscoliosis.
- Changes in walk
- Alterations in daily activities, for example, difficulty in wearing clothes, cooking, cleaning.
- Postural changes
- Muscle weakness and numbness
- Breathlessness, leg pain, urinary, and bowel incontinence in advanced stages of thoracic levoscoliosis
Diagnosis of Levoscoliosis
The diagnosis is usually made first by a physical exam when the doctor will ask you to bend down with the arms hanging down. This will help him to see the curve in the back.
The doctor will then take your history related to symptoms to further evaluate the disease.
If there is a notable curvature of the spine and your symptoms are also hinting towards scoliosis, your doctor will suggest an X-ray to confirm scoliosis. A Cobb angle will then help to evaluate scoliosis.
Your doctor will also order an MRI and CT scan to see which organs and other structures are affected along with the spine.
Levoscoliosis Treatment
In cases of mild levoscoliosis, there is no need for any treatment. Besides, children with scoliosis tend to recover on their own without any treatment.
However, in other cases, levoscoliosis treatment depends upon age, cause, and severity of the condition.
Back Brace
Note that the back brace doesn’t straighten the spine, but it helps prevent further abnormal growth towards the left side, especially in children.
In adults, the brace wouldn’t help in severe scoliosis, but it can help support the abnormally curved spine.
Physiotherapy
You might not know this but exercise and physical therapy help a lot in relieving the symptoms of scoliosis. However, we recommend you consult a chiropractor first and then go for the suggested treatment option.
Surgery
Surgery is almost always the last resort when no other treatment option is working. Your doctor will perform a spinal fusion surgery that will fix your spine back to normal.
FAQs
Levoscoliosis most commonly occurs in the lumbar region. However, it can also but very rarely occur in the neck region as well, known as cervical levoscoliosis.
A levoscoliosis is when the spine curves towards the left side forming a visible C-shape curve.
Conclusion
In short, levoscoliosis commonly affects women and it is an unusual sideways curvature of the spine.
A levoconvex scoliosis is best known as thoracic levoscoliosis, in which the curve is notably found in the thoracic spine.
Whereas, in lumbar levoscoliosis, the curvature of the spine occurs in the lumbar region.