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Getting Scoliosis Straight 脊椎侧弯面面观

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繁體中文譯本

Scoliosis is a term that describes an abnormal side-to-side arching of the spine. The curve can be of varying severity, and onset can happen at any age. It’s not a disease, but a spinal deformity that in 20 percent of cases is genetic. In the majority of cases, though, scoliosis is idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown.

脊椎侧弯是指脊椎有不正常侧向弯曲的术语。这种弯曲可能有不同的严重程度，且可能在任何年龄时发生。它不是种疾病，而是一种脊椎的畸形成长，且百分之二十来自遗传。不过在大多数的病例中，脊椎侧弯多属原发性，意指原因不明。

Sufferers will have one or more symptoms. Their shoulders may be different heights, one of their hips may be raised, their waist may be uneven, or their body may lean to one side. In some instances, the curve of the spine can shrink lung capacity. To determine if a patient might have scoliosis, they will initially perform the Adams Forward Bend Test. With feet together, the patient simply bends forward so that the medical professional can assess any unusual spinal curves. If a curve exists, the patient will need an X-ray. In case of scoliosis, the X-ray will reveal that the spine forms the shape of an S or a C, rather than a straight line.

患者会有一至多种病征。他们的肩膀可能高度不同，臀部可能有一边较高，两侧腰部也可能不平行，他们的身体甚至会侧向一边。某些病例中，脊椎侧弯会造成肺的容量减少。为了确定患者是否患有脊椎侧弯，首先会先进行Adam前弯测试。患者只需将双脚并拢并向前弯，让专业医疗人员评估是否有不正常的脊椎弯曲。如果有曲线，患者必须进行X光检查。在脊椎侧弯的病例中，X光显示出的脊椎是呈现出S或C形，而非直线。

Treatment is dependent on the seriousness of the condition and the depth of the bend. Orthopedic bracing is sometimes an option. It involves the patient wearing a corset-type item to prevent the spine from sinking further. In more progressive cases, surgery may be an option.

脊椎侧弯的治疗必须视脊椎弯曲的程度和病情严重性而定。矫正背架通常是个好选择。它是让患者穿一种类似束腹的装置，用以防止脊椎弯曲加剧。对更为恶化的病例，可能需选择手术。

Early detection of scoliosis is essential because much of the treatment is focused on preventing the condition from deteriorating. If you are displaying any of the symptoms, schedule an appointment with a doctor.

对脊椎侧弯而言，早期发现非常的重要，因为多数治疗方法都是在致力于防止病情恶化。如果你有任何脊椎侧弯的征兆，赶紧就医治疗。

−by Alice Davis

Vocabulary

单词发音

abnormal [æbˋnɔrm!] adj. 不正常的

curve [kɝv] n. 曲线; 弧线; 弯曲部分

genetic [dʒəˋnɛtɪk] adj. 基因的; 遗传学的

symptom [ˋsɪmptəm] n. 症状; 征候

lean [lin] v. 倾斜

shrink [ʃrɪŋk] v. 变小

capacity [kəˋpæsətɪ] n. 容量; 容积

initially [ɪˋnɪʃəlɪ] adv. 最初；起初

medical [ˋmɛdɪk!] adj. 医学的; 医术的; 医疗的

assess [əˋsɛs] v. 评价; 评定

treatment [ˋtritmənt] n. 治疗; 疗法

progressive [prəˋgrɛsɪv] adj.【医】进行性的，愈来愈严重的

deteriorate [dɪˋtɪrɪə͵ret] v. 恶化

More Information

单词发音

scoliosis [͵skolɪˋosɪs] n. 脊柱侧凸

side-to-side 侧向的 alternately left and right with respect to a central point

arching [ˋɑrtʃɪŋ] n. 弧形

severity [səˋvɛrətɪ] n. 严重程度

onset [ˋɑn͵sɛt] n. 开始

deformity [dɪˋfɔrmətɪ] n.〔人体某部分的〕变形; 畸形

idiopathic [͵ɪdɪəˋpæθɪk] adj.【医】（疾病）自发的；特发的；原发的

waist [west] n. 腰; 腰部

condition [kənˋdɪʃən] n. 情况；（健康等）状态

orthopedic [ɔθə'pidɪk] adj. 整形外科的

bracing [ˋbresɪŋ] n. 紧固（或支撑）装置

corset [ˋkɔrsɪt] n.〔穿来支承受伤背部的〕围腰; 胸衣

Reading Questions

1. Why do people take the Adams Forward Bend Test?

A. It is a method that can heal people of scoliosis.

B. It can help patients to straighten their spines.

C. So doctors can examine the shape of their spine.

D. Because it’s the only exam offered in most countries.

2. Which of the following is NOT true about scoliosis?

A. Some sufferers get it from their parents.

B. Sufferers will only have one symptom at first.

C. Doctors are not certain why most sufferers get it.

D. Discovering it at an early stage can make it easier to treat.

3. What does this article mainly focus on?

A. Informing people about scoliosis and how it is treated.

B. Raising money for people who are suffering from scoliosis.

C. Convincing readers that scoliosis is a condition and not a disease.

D. Explaining several advances in scoliosis research over the past decade.

How idiopathic scoliosis occurs

Adam's forward bend and Scoliometer Video

Answer