‘Sedentary lifestyle triggering spine problems in UAE’

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Newly set up Spine Unit at Burjeel Hospital seeing many teenaged patients

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                    Sebouh Z. Kassis, spine surgeon at Burjeel Hospital’s newly set up Spine Unit

Abu Dhabi Sedentary lifestyle and obesity are two reasons why UAE residents, including teenagers, are developing issues with their spinal cord, according to leading spine specialists in the UAE.

“Degenerative spine diseases, slip disc, narrow spinal cord and vertebral fractures are becoming common among UAE residents because of lack of exercise and lifestyle issues,” said Sebouh Z. Kassis, spine surgeon at Burjeel Hospital’s newly set up Spine Unit.

He said many studies have established the link between spinal deformities and overweight. “The lower back takes most of the load of the body and hence one has to maintain one’s weight to avoid or delay the onset of back problems.”

He said in the UAE, people spend sit at their office desks or standing in one place for long hours which can have an adverse effect on one’s posture and lead to back problems. Taking regular breaks and doing appropriate exercises are essential to ensure a strong back.

Dr Kassis said, “We are also treating many teenagers and young children with spinal abnormalities, including scoliosis. Though genetics is one of the main reasons for this problem, the majority of cases has no known cause and are idiopathic. The condition usually occurs in adolescents after the age of 10,” said Dr Kassis.

Dr Firas M. Husban, another spine specialist at Burjeel Hospital, said “The incidence of scoliosis is higher among girls than boys. Mild cases of scoliosis don’t hamper regular activity; however, the more serious cases can limit one’s functioning, cause pain, obstruct breathing and even have a psychological impact on the person.”

The doctors said the unit recently treated two young girls: Layla Chamiloris, 16 and Bana Qubain, 13, both of whom had a history of idiopathic scoliosis.

“The management of scoliosis is subject to the severity of the curvature of the spine, along with other factors such as the child’s age and physical condition. Non-surgical treatment, such as bracing and physiotherapy, is always the first choice, with spinal fusion surgery being the final option for patients who don’t respond to bracing. Both the girls had curvatures that were affecting their day-to-day functioning and general quality of life. It was imperative that we helped these young teens get back to normal life as soon as possible,” said Dr Husban.

In general, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise is imperative for a strong back. Obese and sedentary people tend to lose out as they do not get the benefits of regular physical activity.

Source : Gulf News , 3rd Aug 2016 

Spinal fusion trends & challenges — Q&A with Dr. Vladimir Sinkov

Vladimir Sinkov, MD, a spine surgeon at Nashua-based New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center, discusses trends and challenges in spinal fusions.

Dr. Sinkov focuses on spinal decompression, fusion, minimally invasive techniques, scoliosis correction and disc replacement.

Q: What are some of the most exciting new trends in spinal fusions?

VS: While minimally invasive surgery is not a new trend any more, new and less invasive techniques, tools and implants are currently being developed. Benefits of minimally invasive lumbar fusions over the open techniques have been clearly demonstrated in current literature.

Wider adoption of these techniques is still lagging, however. This is likely due to the steep learning curve and fairly significant additional cost and complexity of these procedures. New techniques and instrumentation will allow these procedures to be done faster, cheaper and more effectively. I am hoping this will help with wider adoption of MIS surgery, which will be highly beneficial to our patients.  

Another trend is computer navigation and robotics. There is still a lot of work to be done to improve robotics applications in spine surgery, but the future is promising and new devices will be coming out on the market soon.

Q: What are two to three of the most pressing challenges facing surgeons who perform fusions?

VS: Declining reimbursements and increased surgery denials make it harder to help our patients and remain financially afloat. Additionally, as the population ages we are seeing more spine problems in patients that are more complex — with higher number of medical co-morbidities, lower bone mineral density and more spine deformity.

Finally, surgical innovations such as MIS fusions, computer navigation and robotic surgery increase the cost of the procedures. We must justify their use by showing greater safety and efficiency as well as improved outcomes.

Q: How can surgeons overcome those challenges and grow their practice?

VS: Surgeons will increasingly consider opting out of insurance networks or not accepting insurance payments completely and making financial arrangements directly with the patients. Also, aging patients will need a more multi-disciplinary approach to their spine problems to deliver most effective and safe care. Continued research and implementation of innovations in spine fusion surgery will likely need more industry support in the future.

Learn more from Dr. Sinkov at the 15th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in June 2017! Click here for more information.

Source : Beckers Spine , 24th Aug 2016 

Local Swimmer Beats Scoliosis, Sets Sights on 2020 Olympics - PLANO

 Like most kids her age, 15-year-old Ashlyn Fiorilli is getting ready to go back for school.  And while she may have a lot of her summer at the pool, that doesn't mean it was a relaxing vacation...

"A lot of training, a lot of swimming, basically my whole life," Fiorilli laughed. "I went to the Olympic Trials in June, and then I just swam at Juniors in the beginning of August."

Yeah, Ashlyn's a competitive swimmer at the national level.  At the Junior National Championships, she took second place, and became the top-ranked 15-and-under swimmer in women's 200-meter butterfly.

"Ever since I was a little girl," she told NewsFix, "the Olympics has always been like the top dream."

But her extraordinary ambitions were almost sidelined by something else that's not so common - Ashlyn suffers from Scoliosis, a sideways bending of the spine.

It's also a sneaky condition; it often causes little-to-no pain or discomfort, but can cause serious issues if it goes untreated.  Dr. Isador Lieberman, a spinal surgeon who serves as medical director of the Scoliosis and Spine Tumor Center at Texas Health Plano, says even though less than 3% of the population will ever need scoliosis surgery, it's recommended that young people get screened, since early detection can make all the difference.

Fortunately, Dr. Lieberman was able to straighten out Ashlyn's spine with a back surgery that may also have given the teenager 2020 vision - she hopes to compete in the summer Olympics in Tokyo in four years.

Says Fiorilli: "That would be awesome."

Check Out Video at : http://cw33.com/2016/08/21/local-swimmer-beats-scoliosis-sets-sights-on-2020-olympics/



Source : CW 33 , 21st Aug 2016 

Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis Patients

For most scoliosis patients, spinal surgery isn’t necessary. Noninvasive therapies, specifically designed to increase muscle strength and flexibility, will often minimize a patient’s discomfort, improve conditions for healing and prevent future complications.

The hallmark symptom of this condition is a side-to-side curvature of the spine. Although doctors can’t point to any single cause, the s-shaped bend is usually detected during a patient’s pre-pubescent growth spurt. There are other circumstances under which the curvature forms, though, and it sometimes occurs in patients with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

Goals of the nonsurgical approach to treatment include increased strength, greater flexibility and a broader range of motion – and, when necessary, pain management. According Spine-Health, a combination of physical, water and chiropractic therapy works for many. Exercise is recommended to keep back muscles in shape.

“Chiropractic treatment can give pain relief and decrease the chance for future issues,” said Mike DeCubellis, D.C., owner and director of Main Street Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Downers Grove.

“Scoliosis treatment is a combination of muscle work and chiropractic therapy. It gets the joints moving. It loosens tight muscles while strengthening others,” he said.

The initial chiropractic visit will include an in-depth exam to confirm the scoliosis diagnosis and to determine the best methods of treatment. During this visit, the chiropractor will also establish a detailed health history and identify any contributing factors that might be aggravating the patient’s symptoms.

To counter the body’s physical compensations and to restore healthy alignment, the practitioner may begin a series of gentle adjustments to the spine. A qualified practitioner’s manipulation techniques will likely make a patient’s joints more mobile. Joint mobility will, in turn, minimize pain.

“It is important to make sure that scoliosis is handled the right way. If it’s mismanaged, it can cause degeneration and other issues,” DeCubellis said.

Main Street Chiropractic and Wellness Center, 5157 Main Street #200, Downers Grove IL 60515, (630) 435-6461

http://www.chiropracticdownersgrove.com

Source : My Sub Urban Life , 26th Aug 2016 

Toddler who was slowly being crushed to death by his spine must wear a special cast 24/7 to straighten it

A toddler with a crooked spine must wear a special cast for 24 hours a day to prevent his lungs from being crushed.

Charlie Ferris can not even bathe while he wears the suit because water would prevent it from working properly.

The 13-month-old, from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has scoliosis – twisting of the spine – which if left untreated could kill him.

His family were told he would need to wear a plaster jacket for four months to stop the curve from becoming worse.

But after scans revealed his condition was deteriorating rapidly, his alarmed parents travelled to the US for a special cast which moulds his spine back into shape – in an attempt to save his life.

‘But I didn’t care how much it cost. We’d live in a tent if needs be to pay for the treatment and getting there. I was prepared to move.’

They first noticed Charlie’s back was twisted in October 2015 after his father Jody, 36, noticed an abnormal bend.

After an X-ray at Belfast’s Musgrave Park Hospital, he was officially diagnosed with infantile scoliosis and doctors confirmed he had a 28° curvature.



Source : Ortho Spine News , 27th Aug 2016 

New Procedure Helps Athletes Overcome Scoliosis And Get Back In The Game - NEW YORK

Scoliosis is a curvature in the spine that makes it painful to walk or run, let alone participate in athletics.

A new procedure could help growing athletes get back in the game. On Wednesday, CBS2’s Steve Overmyer met a 14-year-old tennis player who has beaten the odds.

“She’s happy with herself. She’s back playing tennis. I’m sure she’s had apprehension before,” Emiline’s mother Diane said.

Not long after she fell in love with tennis Emiline was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. She earned a USTA ranking while playing through the pain. This year it got so bad that surgery was needed. In years past that meant a steel rod in the back.

It would have also meant that her career was over, but Dr. Baron Lonner used a new procedure called body tethering. It involves a flexible cord being attached to the bones. When tightened it straightens the spine. It corrected Emiline’s back in time for high school tennis tryouts.

“I think Emiline’s goal for making the tryouts for her tennis team kept her focused and driven, and she’s kept to that, and I’m very proud of her,” Dr. Lonner said.

“I just wanted to get it over with so I could go back to tennis. Like after the surgery it hurt, but it was over soon,” Emiline added.

It’s been three months since the fusionless cure. her spine has been corrected while maintaining flexibility.

“It can be devastating that you’ve been working for something all your life, and then you’re not going to be able to do it again. So the fact they offer this flexible tether option now is incredible,” Diane said.

Sometimes in tennis players have to rush the net. It’s aggressive, but has a high reward, much like Emiline’s decision to get surgery ahead of tryouts.

“It makes the point go quicker,” she said, “The sooner you get it over with the sooner you win.”

For Emiline the next step is making the high school team.

“It’d feel really good that all my work paid off. I’m ready to win,” she said.

Just being able to play the sport that she loves is another way to measure victory.

About 4 percent of the population has some form of scoliosis including 8 time gold medal winning swimmer Jenny Thompson, pro tennis player James Blake, and the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt.

Video Link : http://cbsloc.al/2aMiroG

Source : New York CBS Local , 11th Aug 2016 

Princess Eugenie Bravely Admits Scoliosis, Has Rods In Her Back

Princess Eugenie is an ordinary girl at heart. The 26-year-old was featured in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar US September issue.

The princess goes completely de-glam forHarper’s Bazaar. She wears a pink Alberta Ferretti gown with paneled lace and tulle skirt.

Princess Eugenie looks gorgeous in her makeup free look. The dress is from the labels fall 2016 collection, Daily Mail reports.

The princess’s photoshoot for the magazine comes after Kate Middleton posed for the cover of British Vogue for its centenary issue that was within the June issue.

She says what a day in her life is all about. Princess Eugenie has a very unlikely hobby. She collects airplane tickets since she was 16 and now also restaurant cards.

The young royal wants to turn her hobby into wallpaper sometime. The brunette beauty who is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is a foodie. She along with her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank love eating out and trying new places.

Her favorite drink is vodka soda with loads of lime. Princess Eugenie’s favorite restaurants in London are Bocca di Lupo and the Palomar in Soho. She cooks her own dinner, but when not in the mood, she has Basilico pizza.

“How To Get Away With Murder,” “Outlander,” are her favorite TV series. When she is with her boyfriend the pair likes to watch “The Walking Dead.” Princess Eugenie now has her eyes set on “Game of Thrones.”

She is not a reality TV show person but loves to watch cooking programs and Netflix. The princess sometimes indulges herself with chips, Diet Coke, and cashew nuts with mustard.

“I have metal rods in my back keeping me straight. I was born with scoliosis and had an operation when I was 12,” said Princess Eugenie in a shocking revelation. She added that the rods are there with her forever.

Princess Eugenie is currently the associate director at Hauser & Wirth gallery. She says that she supports her granny and grandpa whenever she can with royal duties and engagements.

The princess works out at a women-only gym Grace Belgravia, where Cara Delevigngealso goes. Otherwise she regularly goes to the park and does circuits, burpees, squat jumps and lunges.

Princess Eugenie loves high street like Sandro, Maje and Zara, and a little of Topshop. Her go-to is a lace bomber jacket from Essentiel Antwerp, and Rag & Bone ankle boots. Go-to makeup — Charlotte Tilbury mascara and Bobbi Brown bronzer.

Source : Morning News USA , 11th Aug 2016 

SC 7-year-old’s severely curved spine corrected without regular surgeries

A 7-year-old girl is back at school in York, South Carolina, the day after having a medical procedure at Carolinas Healthcare System in Charlotte that lengthened rods in her back.

                                  7-year-old Charie Toney during the August procedure

Charlie Toney has scoliosis, which means her spine isn’t straight. Typically, a child would need various surgeries to lengthen those rods, but a new device available in our region changes that need for more surgeries. Charlie was CHS’ first patient to get the procedure.

Charlie is a great big sister, who loves to dance and tumble around her house. She’s always been non-stop, but her back didn’t look right to her mom.

“It was just like a backward C going up her spine, we took her into the doctors,” said Courtney Toney, Charlie’s mom.

At Carolinas Healthcare System, her X-ray showed how bad the curve progressed from a C to an S with a 67-degree angle. At first, mom didn’t want surgery.

“They made her a custom brace because, at the time, I was completely… I could not deal with the surgery,” said Courtney Toney. “The surgery was every three months they wanted to add rods to her back. That was pulling her out of school every three months. They’re like, ‘you’re going to have to teach her how to walk, you’re going to have to teach her how to potty train every three months of her life.'”

Charlie didn’t like the brace, and said it was uncomfortable to sleep in.

“I was up all night,” the young girl said.

Charlie had surgery in June, but she didn’t get traditional rods. And she won’t need recurring surgeries.

“They call it Magec and, honestly it is magic. Honestly, I was very upset I didn’t want to do it, very hysterical as a mother, but when they did it, it was magic. It went from 67 to 11 degrees in one day,” the mother said.

In August, with the Magec device in her back, Charlie needed to be adjusted.

“I promise it doesn’t hurt,” said Dr. Kelly Vanderhave to Charlie before the procedure.

The machine works on the outside of her back with magnets.

“It allows the rod to telescope, so it provides lengthen from the inside,” said Vanderhave, who comforted her during the procedure.

“That tickles,” Charlie told the doctor. Afterward Charlie was back to being great.

“We hope we don’t see a lot of 7-year-olds with big 60 or 70-degree curves, but now if patients know that it’s an option, I think this a much better option than the traditional growing rods,” Vanderhave said.

Source : WNCN , 18th Aug 2016 

Life-changing surgery helps teen with scoliosis cheer again

That’s something to cheer about.

13-year-old Aimee Gooda, a competitive cheerleader from Gravesend, Kentucky, was diagnosed with severe scoliosis in October 2015.

The 61.4-degree curve had twisted her spine into an “S” shape — and doctors warned that without an operation, her spine could crumble at any moment.

“Aimee was devastated, she had just been chosen to compete at the world championships,” Aimee’s mom Sarah, told Caters News. “She had to have the operation before the competition.”

But the six-hour operation was successful, and Aimee was walking after two days.

Two titanium rods and 22 screws were implanted in her spine to fuse it straight, and she’ll have to wear a back brace for three months.

“It may take a year for her to perform again,” her mom said. “But I have never known anyone so determined to do something.”

Though Aimee won’t be able to tumble any more since, “she no longer has any shock absorbers in her back,” the teen is eager to get back to competition.

“I can’t wait to start back at cheer,” Aimee said. “I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to perform again.”

Piks can be track from here : http://nypost.com/2016/08/19/life-changing-surgery-helps-teen-with-scoliosis-cheer-again/