The problem of poor posture in children and adolescents is a very common phenomenon in our time. According to the definition, scoliosis is any curvature of the spine, that is, a deviation from a certain standard. Today, almost all young men have such deviations, and therefore, closer to the end of school, children begin to find out whether they are accepted into the army with scoliosis? However, it is impossible to answer this question unambiguously; it is necessary to understand what types of scoliosis there are and how they are determined by doctors.
Many have heard that scoliosis has so-called degrees of the disease: the initial degree is the first, then a more severe form is the second, and so on in increasing severity. The doctor determines what degree of scoliosis a young man has, and he does this by examining x-rays of the spine, on which the so-called maximum angle of deviation is geometrically determined. Depending on this indicator, the severity of the disease is determined. In connection with recent amendments to the legislation on conscription into the army, let's look at whether people with scoliosis of the 2nd degree, 1st degree and other types of postural disorders are accepted into the army in 2021.
Can people with grade 1 scoliosis be drafted into the army?
Doctors often call this type of scoliosis a postural disorder - a slight deviation from the norm, with an angle of 1 to 10 degrees. There are practically no ideally correct spines. The indicated deviation value is diagnosed in 98% of young men of military age. It is important to understand that the medical commission at the military registration and enlistment office does not examine the health of the conscript, but conducts an “examination.” If the conscript himself does not provide the doctors from the commission with pictures of the spine, on which the angle of deviation is determined, as well as an extract from the medical record with a recorded diagnosis and medical history, then in most cases they will put the wording - “there are no diseases of the spine.” However, according to the law, those with the first degree of scoliosis are accepted into the army, but not all troops, for example, will not be accepted into special forces and other elite units.
It is extremely important to understand that when determining the angle of curvature geometrically, an error of 2, 3 or 4 degrees is possible. This is very critical in this situation, since some doctors can define an angle of 11 degrees as 9 degrees, and this will mean making an incorrect diagnosis - the first degree instead of the second, with which exemption from the army is possible. Our organization provides assistance in conducting an independent medical examination for conscripts - experienced doctors will take X-rays and correctly determine the angle of deviation, and also document everything for submission to the military registration and enlistment office. Call us, we work all over Russia. We found out whether people with scoliosis of the 1st degree are accepted into the army, let's look into the second.
Causes
Kyphoscoliosis can be a congenital or acquired pathology. Congenital kyphoscoliosis is formed due to abnormal development of the vertebrae and is often accompanied by dysfunction of the genitourinary system. It is not always possible to detect congenital curvature immediately after birth; usually the disease manifests itself six months or more later. But in medical practice there have been cases when third degree kyphoscoliosis was discovered in a newborn.
The causes of acquired kyphoscoliosis are being monitored more clearly. These include:
- congenital connective tissue deficiency;
- diseases of the spine;
- rickets;
- lack of muscle tone;
- muscular dystrophy;
- paralysis;
- rheumatism;
- spasmodic development of muscle and bone tissue.
It is precisely because of active growth that kyphoscoliosis develops in adolescents aged 13-15 years.
Factors that may contribute to the development of kyphoscoliosis:
- heavy load on the back due to excess weight or heavy physical labor;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Incorrect posture while working while sitting.
Can people with stage 2 scoliosis be drafted into the army?
Scoliosis of the second degree is also a very common disease; this diagnosis, after taking pictures, is made by 40% of conscripts when examined by a doctor who has experience in examining conscripts and is familiar with the relevant legislation. Scoliosis of the 2nd degree corresponds to an angle of deviation in the spine from 11 to 25 degrees.
The second degree of this spinal disease is different in that the young man may not even be aware of the presence of scoliosis (this happens with a deviation angle of 11-17 degrees), and may experience pain, weakness and other symptoms. This feature is also taken into account by the normative documents on conscription into the army. Let's find out whether people with grade 2 scoliosis are accepted into the army, and what conditions are necessary to obtain an exemption from conscription.
Two cases should be highlighted here.
- The angle of curvature is 11-17 degrees and there are no complaints. In this case, the conscript is considered fit for service with some restrictions - he will be accepted into any army except the elite.
- Any angle of deviation from the norm, corresponding to the second degree of scoliosis (11-25 degrees) and the presence of regular complaints in the medical history over the past year. In this case, the young man is exempt from conscription into the army.
Thus, the answer to the question of whether people with grade 2 scoliosis are accepted into the army is “they do not accept” if there are complaints recorded in medical documents. Complaints should be regular, once every 2-3 months over the last 1-2 years. Most children suffering from second-degree scoliosis complain of the following symptoms: the appearance of pain in the spine after being in an upright position for some time, a decrease in normal mobility (for example, the inability to turn the head all the way to the right or left), numbness of the limbs, muscle weakness, and others.
Important! Regulatory documents describe a number of complaints that are not significant. Such symptoms will be equated to the absence of complaints, which in the case of a deviation angle of up to 17 degrees inclusive will mean suitability for military service. Here is a list of minor symptoms.
- Back pain after 5–6 hours of standing or sitting. It is extremely important that the time after which pain appears is recorded in the medical history and is less than 5 hours, otherwise such a manifestation of pain will be considered insignificant, and a conscript with second-degree scoliosis will be accepted into the army.
- A reduction in the range of motion in any part of the spine of less than 20% is also not a significant impairment of spinal function in scoliosis. If the medical certificate records a restriction of movement of 21%, this is already a dysfunction and provides grounds for exemption from conscription in case of 2nd degree scoliosis.
- Reducing the sensitivity of the area controlled by one nerve, as well as reducing the muscle strength of one area while maintaining the ability to move. To take into account such symptoms, sensory disturbances in several areas of the body or a complete loss of sensitivity in any area must be recorded - in this case, they will not accept service with grade 2 scoliosis.
As you can see, a difference of 1% can affect whether a conscript with scoliosis will be accepted into the army or not. An ordinary doctor in a clinic will not record many of the listed symptoms, because he is not a doctor of military medical examination - he does not know what symptoms affect the suitability of a young man for the army. And if the medical history does not clearly indicate all the necessary symptoms, the diagnosis of “scoliosis of the 2nd degree” and the angle of deviation, then the medical commission will recognize the conscript as healthy, and this is legal, since the obligation to provide medical documents lies with the conscript.
Due to the fact that the disease is common, doctors at the military registration and enlistment office sometimes violate the regulations - they do not recognize the angle determined in the image; sometimes they can say that the conscript’s complaints are not serious, etc. - all this is illegal - you should under no circumstances put up with this and go into the army, despite the legal basis for exemption from the army! The illegal actions of doctors must be appealed. You can contact us to organize an appeal (section Contacts).
Can people with stage 3 scoliosis be drafted into the army?
Scoliosis of the 3rd degree corresponds to an angle of deviation in the spine from 26 to 50 degrees. This is a serious degree of this disease; as a rule, such a curvature is visible to the naked eye. People suffering from this disease certainly know about it. It is unlikely that a conscript will “accidentally” be diagnosed with stage 3 scoliosis during examination.
Scoliosis of the 3rd degree causes many symptoms that are incompatible with military service, and therefore the answer to the question of whether people with scoliosis of the 3rd degree are accepted into the army is a definite “no,” they do not accept. Such conscripts receive an exemption from conscription based on the results of a medical examination, and shortly after this they are issued a military ID card for health reasons.
What's the result?
As you can see, exemption from the army is granted to conscripts with grade 2 scoliosis and more severe forms of this diagnosis. But this only happens if all the symptoms are correctly recorded in the medical record, and the angle of deviation in the spine, determined from the x-ray, is also correctly determined.
More than 40% of conscripts have this form of scoliosis, however, in most “controversial cases”, when the documentation is completed incorrectly, such guys are considered fit. To prevent this from happening, or if the conscript has already been declared fit, you can contact us for legal assistance. Our specialists will organize an examination, help you fill out the documents correctly, challenge illegal decisions of the draft board, and ensure that you receive a military ID strictly on the basis of federal law. Call and sign up for a free consultation.
Diagnostics
Kyphoscoliosis is diagnosed using radiography in two main projections. If the patient's condition requires it, then photographs in different body positions may be prescribed. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging help clarify the diagnosis and get a complete picture of the extent of the lesion. In case of kyphoscoliosis, consultation with a neurologist is required. If damage to internal organs is detected, the patient is referred for additional examinations by appropriate specialists.
Do they take you into the army with grade 2 scoliosis if the picture was taken a year ago?
Evgeniy Aristov
Good afternoon Some experts say the pictures are valid for 6 months, others say for 3 months. However, in all cases where the degree of scoliosis corresponds to exemption from military service, the guys are sent to the hospital for a repeat scan. This is due to the fact that clinics do not conduct a full examination of spinal diseases, as is necessary for doctors at the military registration and enlistment office. For example, a photograph must be taken in a standing and lying position to determine “scoliosis mobility,” which affects the fitness category. But often you can appeal against being sent for a repeat scan - call us, we will answer specifically for your case, whether you will be admitted to amia with second-degree scoliosis. If necessary, we will help you undergo an independent examination in your city - such results are accepted at military registration and enlistment offices according to the law.
Igor, St. Petersburg
Treatment methods
A distinctive feature of scoliosis as a disease is that the spine is subject to significant deformation during the period of intensive growth of the child. According to statistics, scoliosis develops much more often in girls than in boys. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the body.
It is important to understand that treatment for scoliosis should begin at an early stage of the pathology, when the joints and spinal column still retain their mobility. Remember that with scoliosis, there is asymmetry of the body, which ultimately puts pressure on the internal organs. Many patients believe that scoliosis affects only the spine; in fact, it provokes many concomitant diseases, including heart failure, if there is no treatment.
Untimely treatment of scoliosis causes tissue hypoxia in the body due to the fact that the patient experiences problems breathing.
In the early stages of the disease, conservative treatment of the disease is practiced; the more complications, the greater the likelihood that surgical treatment will be required.
Conservative treatment methods include:
- Wearing a Chenault corset;
- Special therapeutic exercise;
- Taking medications to relieve pain.
If the disease is at a progressing stage, only a special corset that corrects the correct posture will help cope with it. Physical therapy is indicated only if the patient’s scoliosis is in remission.
Remember that manual therapy, physiotherapy, massage and other techniques do not cure scoliosis, they only alleviate the patient’s current condition.
Conservative treatment of scoliosis without surgical intervention has a number of objectives:
- Correction of emerging deformities;
- Maintaining the spine in the correct anatomical state;
- Restoring the balance of all body systems;
- Stopping the progression of the disease.
The treatment method is selected depending on the type of disease, its location, and the degree of development of the problem.
Surgical treatment is prescribed only in the most advanced cases. As a result of the operation, a special metal rod is attached to the spine, which acts as a kind of frame.
The image shows an angle of 18 degrees. At the medical examination they said it was 16 degrees there.
Evgeniy Aristov
Your situation is not uncommon; this happens very often. 18 degrees clearly corresponds to exemption from conscription, while 16 degrees gives the right to a military ID only with documented significant symptoms. Conscripts almost never have such a medical history. Contact us, we will organize an appeal against the decision of the draft commission and will ensure that you are issued a military ID card for health reasons. There are a lot of nuances in regulatory documents, and judicial practice is very heterogeneous. Our expert lawyers and military doctors know all the features of appealing the decisions of the military registration and enlistment office, and will ensure that the conscript is enlisted in the reserves and released from service as soon as possible. Call.
