Therapy of Scheuermann’s disease

Therapeutic goals of Scheuermann’s disease: The therapy of Scheuermann’s disease depends on the stage of the disease, the extent of the malformation and the symptoms. As long as the growth is not complete, growth correction is theoretically possible. Improvement can be achieved through muscular stabilization.

In mild cases of Scheuermann’s disease, muscular stabilization that compensates for the postural deformity is certainly sufficient in combination with movement exercises. However, if a pronounced hunchback is formed, a corset adjustment or straightening operation may be necessary. However, this can only be carried out after the growth phase is complete.

By changing many small things in everyday life, it is often possible to achieve freedom from complaints. The ergonomics of your workplace are important in the case of Scheuermann’s disease; all working areas should be adjusted to suit your back. A back school will give you many helpful tips on how to work in a way that is kinder to your back.

Muscle building and relaxation exercises, which you can do several times a day “in between”, often lead to great success. A proper application of all exercises is important here! Intensive physiotherapeutic treatment of Scheuermann’s disease should result in muscular stabilization.

Shortened muscle groups must be stretched. Red light, massages and physical measures such as electrotherapy (TENS) can be used to counter muscular imbalances. Muscular stabilization should be achieved through intensive physiotherapeutic treatment of Scheuermann’s disease.

Shortened muscle groups must be stretched. Red light, massages and physical measures such as electrotherapy (TENS) can be used to counteract muscular imbalances.

Prevention of the occurrence or progression to a severe spinal deformity
Pain reduction or elimination
Attempt to correct spinal deformity

In principle, there are various types of therapy available for Scheuermann’s disease.

Which of these makes the most sense for a particular patient depends on a number of individual circumstances (for example age, concomitant diseases and personal preferences), but above all on the severity of Scheuermann’s disease. For this reason, a suitable therapy must be tailored to each patient individually and should therefore always be discussed with a doctor. The most important therapy component in Scheuermann’s disease is physiotherapy.

Due to the curvature of the thoracic spine, the chest muscles are practically shortened and the back muscles are not effective enough. Physiotherapy therefore consists of two main components: the back muscles must be strengthened to straighten the back and the abdominal muscles must be stretched. In addition, the spine should be kept mobile by other exercises.

Such a therapy should first be instructed by an experienced doctor or physiotherapist and then regularly performed at home to show a benefit. Especially when a patient is still growing, physiotherapy is often sufficient as the only therapy to get a grip on Scheuermann’s disease. Physiotherapeutic exercises can delay the progression of the disease as well as alleviate the symptoms.

These exercises should be learnt under expert guidance and later be continued independently at home. Manual therapy serves to eliminate functional disorders of the locomotor system (joints, muscles and nerves). It is carried out by physiotherapists with special further training.

By means of targeted stretching, mobilization and relaxation exercises, the complaints are to be alleviated. Another option (especially in the case of Scheuermann’s disease of the thoracic spine) is to wear a special corset, e.g. a Milwaukee corset, which ensures that the spine is straightened. In order for treatment to be successful, however, it is important that this corset is worn for almost the entire day at the beginning and is only taken off for personal hygiene.Later it is often enough to put on the corset only overnight.

The problem here is that many children and teenagers are annoyed or at least afraid of wearing a corset and therefore do not put it on regularly. If a corset is worn, visits to the doctor have to be arranged in regular intervals to check if the corset still fits correctly and to adjust it if necessary. Normally, Scheuermann’s disease does not cause any pain.

Occasionally, however, the curvature of the spinal column can cause nerves to become trapped or muscles to be incorrectly loaded, which can lead to pain. In such a case, treatment with painkillers (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen) and/or muscle relaxants (muscle relaxants) is indicated. In addition to all these possibilities of therapy, certain changes in everyday life are useful.

For example, in the case of Scheuermann’s disease, it is important to take care to engage in physical activity, especially back-friendly sports such as swimming or gymnastics. However, sports that are associated with violent back strain or jumping, such as martial arts or long high jump, should be avoided. In addition, an upright basic posture is even more important for patients with Scheuermann’s disease than it already is.

In addition, lying on the stomach (only in a few cases is surgical therapy necessary in patients with Scheuermann’s disease) is not recommended. Surgery is performed, for example, when the risks and benefits of an operation must always be carefully weighed against each other. However, the prerequisite for the decision to undergo surgery is always that the growth phase has already been completed.

In an operation for Scheuermann’s disease, worn intervertebral discs are first removed. The resulting gaps are filled in again with the body’s own bone material. Then metal plates and screws are drilled into the spine to straighten and stabilize it and to keep it in this position. It is often recommended to wear a corset for a few weeks or months after such an operation in order to support the spine and healing.

Chronic pain that does not respond to conservative therapy
The lung function is limited
A strong psychological burden due to a pronounced form of Scheuermann’s disease is present