Turtle neck syndrome refers to the state of cervical vertebrae bent backward from the normal position. As shown in the image, the cervical vertebrae is bent in reverse C-shape. In modern times, there is high prevalence of turtle neck syndrome because of prolonged posture of turtle neck due to the distribution of computers and smart phones.

While there are still many with turtle neck syndrome who do not appeal for pain, many suffer from shoulder and neck pains and even periodic pains. Also, people with turtle neck syndrome appeal for lumbar and pelvis problems. Therefore, turtle neck syndrome must be corrected and treated to reduce the pain in the whole body.

Turtle Neck Syndrome

The vertebrae should be straight from the front, the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae should be bent forward in a C-shape (lordosis), and the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum should be bent backward in a )-shape (cyrtosis). Scoliosis refers to the spine bent sideways from the front.

Scoliosis

In a patient with scoliosis, the height of shoulders is imbalanced from the front, the shoulder blades are bulged out from the back or disproportionately hunched back is observed. When the patient bends the back by 90 degrees while standing, the back is hunched and only one side of the shoulder blades or the ribs is bulged out.

Plain radiograph is the most important inspection to diagnose and treat scoliosis.

Brace Treatment

The brace treatment is effective in a patient whose scoliosis is smooth and can be easily corrected, the lateral angle is 20 - 40 degrees and has at least 2 years in the growth period. Especially, the brace treatment is performed when the scoliosis of the vertebrae is determined to be developing in a patient before the first period or within 1 year of the first period.

Surgical Treatment

A surgery is required for scoliosis of 40 - 50 degrees or more in a child in the growth period if the child has developing scoliosis even after conservative treatment.

In principle, the plain radiograph is performed every 6 - 8 months (every school holiday) for patients with scoliosis at smaller angles and every 3 - 4 months for patients with scoliosis at larger angles.
However, a passive observation of the vertebrae of children in the growth period seems to be neglecting them to live with scoliosis for the lifetime. Since the correction of scoliosis is more difficult at older ages, it is important to perform corrective treatments at an early stage when scoliosis is diagnosed.