Spinal Deformities
And their Real Life Implicatons
Submitted By : Alishbah Amber
Roll No : 26856
Submitted To : Dr. Rabiya Zaman
Subject : Surgery I
Assignment No : 01
Submission Date : 14 January, 2025
Mohi-ud-din Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences
Mirpur AJK
Types of Spinal Deformities with
Examples
1. Scoliosis
• Definition: Abnormal "C" or "S" shaped curve
of the spine.
• Impact on ADLs: Individuals may
experience uneven shoulders or hips, leading to
challenges in activities like walking, sitting, or
carrying objects.
ADLs-Related Exercises:
• Postural Awareness: Encourage
exercises to improve body alignment during
daily activities (e.g., sitting, standing).
• Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening aims to build muscle strength on the convex
side of the curve, providing better spinal support and potentially reducing curve
progression.
Pelvic Tilts:
• Targeted Muscles: Abdominal muscles and lower back stabilizers.
• Instructions:
1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Tighten your abdominal muscles to press your lower back into the floor.
3. Hold for 5 seconds; relax.
4. Repeat 10 times.
Arm/Leg Raises (Bird-Dog):
• Targeted Muscles: Core muscles, including the multifidus and erector spinae.
• Instructions:
Page | 1
1. Begin on hands and knees with a
neutral spine.
2. Extend the right arm forward and left
leg backward simultaneously.
3. Hold for 5 seconds; return to starting
position.
4. Repeat on the opposite side.
5. Perform 10 repetitions on each side.
• Stretching Exercises: Stretching focuses on lengthening tight muscles on the concave
side of the spinal curve, enhancing flexibility, and promoting better posture.
Side Stretch:
• Targeted Muscles: Latissimus dorsi and
obliques.
• Instructions:
1. Stand upright with feet shoulder-width
apart.
2. Raise the arm on the side opposite the
curve over your head.
3. Gently lean away from the curve,
creating a stretch along the side of the
body.
4. Hold for 20–30 seconds; repeat 2–3
times.
Child's Pose:
• Targeted Muscles: Erector spinae and lower back muscles.
Instructions:
1. Kneel on the floor, sitting back on your heels.
2. Extend your arms forward, lowering your chest toward your knees.
3. Hold for 30 seconds; repeat 2–3 times.
Page | 2
• Severity Levels: Mild (≤25°), Moderate
(25°–40°), Severe (≥40° in adolescents, ≥50° in
adults).
2.Kyphosis
• Definition: Forward rounding of the back,
causing a hunchback appearance.
• Example: An office worker who spends
prolonged hours hunched over a computer may develop a noticeable rounded upper
back, accompanied by back pain and stiffness.
• Common Cause: Scheuermann’s disease in adolescents or osteoporosis in adults
ADLs-Related Exercises:
• Stretching Exercises for Kyphosis: Stretching tight muscles can help improve
flexibility and reduce the forward curvature associated with kyphosis.
Chest Stretch in Doorway
• Targeted Muscles: Pectoralis major ,Pectoralis minor
Instructions:
1. Stand upright near a doorway.
2. Raise your arms to shoulder height and bend your elbows at
90 degrees.
3. Place your forearms against each side of the doorframe.
4. Gently lean forward until you feel a stretch across your chest.
5. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds.
6. Repeat three times.
• Strengthening Exercises for Kyphosis:
Strengthening the muscles of the upper back and shoulders can promote better posture and
help counteract the effects of kyphosis.
Page | 3
Scapular Squeeze
• Targeted Muscles: Rhomboids, Middle trapezius
Instructions:
1. Sit or stand upright with your arms at your
sides.
2. Gently draw your shoulder blades together and
downward, as if squeezing a pencil between
them.
3. Hold for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat 10 times.
3. Lordosis
• Definition: Excess inward curve of the spine,
often called swayback.
• Example: A dancer or gymnast may develop an
increased inward curve in their lower back due
to repetitive movements and postures,
potentially leading to discomfort during
performances.
• Cause: Often due to poor posture or conditions
like achondroplasia.
Stretching Exercises for Lordosis
Hip Flexor Stretch
• Targeted Muscles: Iliopsoas (hip flexors).
Instructions:
1. Kneel on one knee with the other leg forward, creating a 90-degree angle.
2. Keep your torso upright and push your hips forward slightly until you feel a stretch in the
hip of the kneeling leg.
Page | 4
3. Hold for 20–30 seconds; repeat 2–3 times per side.
4. Kneel on one knee with the other leg forward, creating a 90-degree angle.
5. Keep your torso upright and push your hips forward slightly until you feel a stretch in the
hip of the kneeling leg.
6. Hold for 20–30 seconds; repeat 2–3 times per side.
Hamstring Stretch:
• Targeted Muscles: Hamstrings.
Instructions:
1. Sit on the floor with one leg extended and the other
bent inward.
2. Lean forward over the extended leg, reaching for
your toes while keeping your back straight. 3. Hold
for 20–30 seconds; repeat 2–3 times per side.
Strengthening Exercises for
Lordosis
Glute Bridges
• Targeted Muscles: Gluteus maximus and hamstrings.
Instructions:
1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Page | 5
2. Lift your hips off the ground until your body forms a straight line from shoulders
to knees.
3. Squeeze your glutes at the top, hold for 3 seconds, then lower down. 4. Repeat
10–15 times.
Pelvic Tilt
• Targeted Muscles: Abdominals and pelvic stabilizers.
Instructions:
1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Flatten your lower back against the floor by tilting your pelvis upward.
3. Hold for 5 seconds, then release.
4. 4. Repeat 10–15 times.
Flat Back Syndrome
• Definition: Loss of normal spinal curves, leading to a straight back.
• Example: An individual with Flat Back Syndrome may find it challenging to stand
upright for extended periods, often feeling the need to lean forward or sit down to alleviate
discomfort.
Page | 6
Page | 7
Torticollis (Wry Neck)
• Definition: Twisted and tilted neck causing restricted head movement.
• Example: A newborn with congenital torticollis may have difficulty turning their head to
breastfeed on one side, leading to feeding challenges and a preference for one side.
• Common Causes: Birth trauma or improper sleeping position.
Stretching Exercises for Torticollis
Neck Side Stretch
o Targeted Muscles: Sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius.
o Instructions: Sit upright, tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear toward your
shoulder. Hold for 20–30 seconds. Repeat 2–3 times per side.
Chin Tuck Stretch
o Targeted Muscles: Suboccipital muscles, cervical extensors. o Instructions: Sit or
stand tall. Gently tuck your chin toward your neck without tilting your head. Hold for
5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Rotational Stretch
o Targeted Muscles: SCM, scalene muscles.
Page | 8
o Instructions: Turn your head to one side as far as possible without discomfort. Hold
for 20–30 seconds. Repeat 2–3 times per side.
Strengthening Exercises for Torticollis
Isometric Neck Extension
o Targeted Muscles: Cervical extensors, upper trapezius.
o Instructions: Place your hands behind your head. Push your head back into your
hands without moving. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Isometric Neck Flexion
o Targeted Muscles: Sternocleidomastoid (SCM). o Instructions: Place your hand on
your forehead. Push your head forward against your hand without moving. Hold for 5
seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Page | 9
