Procedures
Surgical options include:
- Spinal fusion. In this procedure, surgeons connect two or more of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) together so they can't move independently. ...
- Expanding rod. If the scoliosis is progressing rapidly at a young age, surgeons can attach one or two expandable rods along the spine that can adjust in length as the ...
- Vertebral body tethering. ...
Self-care
Why is 10 degrees considered a scoliosis? A Scoliosis diagnosis is given when an abnormal curvature is measured at 10+ degrees and includes rotation , which is what makes scoliosis a 3-dimensional condition. Traditional treatment: even at a 10, 15, or 20 degree of curvature, typically, no active treatment is started. ...
Nutrition
Scoliosis can be effectively treated in kids and teens without surgery; no curve should be ignored regardless of its size. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis worsens rapidly with growth; however the pubertal growth spurt can be utilized to straighten the spine instead of allowing it to worsen the scoliosis.
What can you do and not do with scoliosis?
- Lying on the back
- Lying on each side
- On hands and knees
- Sitting
- Standing
Why is 10 degrees considered a scoliosis?
Can you cure scoliosis without surgery?
How to fix scoliosis without surgery?
What degree of scoliosis needs treatment?
In general, curves measuring over 20 degrees may require treatment. Curves greater than 50 degrees will likely need surgery to restore normal posture.
When does scoliosis require surgery in adults?
Curve Surgery may be suggested if the curvature continues to worsen and the curve gets beyond 40 to 45 degrees to prevent problems that come with severe scoliosis. Surgery will usually be recommended for curves above 60 degrees, as the twisting of the torso can lead to serious lung and heart conditions.
Is 30 degree scoliosis severe?
Health care providers measure scoliosis curves in degrees: A mild curve is less than 20 degrees. A moderate curve is between 25 degrees and 40 degrees. A severe curve is more than 50 degrees.
Does 40 degree scoliosis need surgery?
It's not about the curve If your C-curve becomes severe (i.e., more than 40 degrees), or if you develop an S-shaped curve, you need surgery. As an adult, a scoliosis curve is only considered to be severe if it's more than 50 degrees. Even in such a case, you may not need treatment.
Does 45 degree scoliosis need surgery?
Surgical Treatment for Different Stages of Scoliosis According to The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, most scoliosis surgeons agree that children who have very severe curves (45-50° and higher) will need surgery to lessen the curve and prevent it from getting worse…
What is the minimum curve for scoliosis surgery?
Your child might need surgery if his or her spine has a severe curve. This is a curve of at least 40 degrees. Or your child may need surgery in the future if other treatments, such as bracing, don't keep the curve from getting worse. Children who have only mild curves are not likely to need surgery.
Can scoliosis be corrected in older adults?
While adult scoliosis can be managed through active treatment, no form of the condition can be fully 'corrected', meaning 'cured'. This is because as a progressive and incurable condition, scoliosis is virtually guaranteed to get worse over time.
How fast does scoliosis progress in adults?
Adult idiopathic scoliosis is, in essence, a continuation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Sometimes a spine curvature of an idiopathic (cause not known) nature that began during teenage years may progress during adult life. Curves may increase in size 0.5° to 2° per year.
What is moderate scoliosis in adults?
When a person develops an abnormal sideways bend to their spine that coincides with rotation and has a Cobb angle measurement of between 25 and 40 degrees, this is classified as 'moderate scoliosis'. Traditionally, moderate scoliosis has been somewhat of a gray area in terms of how to respond treatment-wise.
Does 35 degree scoliosis need surgery?
Small curves below twenty degrees or curvatures up to 40 degrees in skeletally mature patients do not require surgery or bracing. If curves progress in the still growing adolescent, bracing is recommended for curvatures between 25-40 degrees.
What percentage of scoliosis patients need surgery?
“I see a number of patients who automatically assume they will need treatment for their scoliosis, but only a small percentage — about 30 percent — require bracing, and an even smaller percent — about 10 percent — of patients actually require surgery,” Sponseller assures.
How do they fix scoliosis in adults?
How is adult scoliosis treated? The majority of cases of adult scoliosis can be managed non-operatively through regular observation by a doctor, over-the-counter pain medications, and core-strengthening exercises to strengthen your abdomen and back and to improve flexibility. If you smoke, it's important that you quit.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a lateral (or sideways) curvature of the spine in one or more places. This different from the condition known as kyphosis, where the s...
What is adult scoliosis?
Scoliosis most frequently occurs in children and teenagers. However, adults may also be diagnosed with scoliosis, either when a curve that existed...
What part of the spine curves in people with scoliosis?
Scoliosis can affect the spine in any of its three major sections: cervical spine (neck); thoracic spine (chest and upper back region) lumbar spine...
What are the symptoms of scoliosis in adults?
The most common symptoms of scoliosis in adults is pain and, often, a visible bulge on the back at the site of this pain. Less often, people may ex...
How is adult scoliosis diagnosed?
The medical evaluation for scoliosis includes: a physical exam; X-rays or low-dose radiation EOS imaging taken from the front and side views while...
How is scoliosis in adults treated?
Whenever possible, scoliosis in adults is treated non-operatively through physical therapy, medications and other methods. Steroid injections may a...
What is the degree of scoliosis?
A scoliosis diagnosis ranges from mild to severe. A mild classification would include a spin al curva ture measuring up to 25 degrees. A severe designation: a curvature that is measured at 40 degrees or more.
How to tell if you have scoliosis?
Most subtle curvature signs will start to appear with a 10- to 15-degree curve. Unless you’re a scoliosis specialist or are constantly on the watch for symptoms, it’s hard to diagnose. Symptoms to look for: Asymmetries of the shoulders, hips, and waistline. Arms that hang differently.
What is a condition characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine that coincides with spinal rotation
Scoliosis is a condition characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine that coincides with spinal rotation. I describe it as a 3-D condition, and we’ll return to that characteristic and why it’s important in terms of treatment shortly.
What is the purpose of X-rays for scoliosis?
X-Rays to Measure and Monitor. Standing X-rays taken of the spine from the back and side will measure the degree of a spinal curvature and place it on the spectrum of mild-to-severe scoliosis. The traditional approach relies heavily on the use of X-rays to monitor a curve’s progression, but I find there’s a shortcoming to relying so heavily on ...
Can scoliosis live its best life?
People with Scoliosis can Live Their Best Lives. The reality is that people with scoliosis will be living with the condition for their entire lives. We want those patients to be able to live their best lives. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, we can help them achieve that.
Is scoliosis a painless condition?
Adolescent scoliosis is the largest group of diagnosed scoliosis patients. In most cases, it is a painless condition. By the time noticeable changes to the posture have developed, the curvature has progressed significantly.
Can braces be used for scoliosis?
The danger of watching and waiting, especially in cases of adolescent scoliosis, is that a huge growth spurt can occur between X-rays, resulting in rapid curvature progression and further funneling patients towards surgery. Often, braces will be suggested as part of traditional treatment.
What degree of curvature is scoliosis?
Traditional treatment: at a 25 - 40 degree of curvature, those following the traditional treatment approach would still not be engaged in active treatment; instead, continued pain medications/injections would likely be prescribed to deal with any scoliosis-related pain or discomfort. Functional treatment: at a 25 - 40 degree of curvature, ...
What age is degenerative scoliosis most common?
In degenerative scoliosis, this form is most common in adults over the age of 40. As a person moves into the later stages of life, the spine, like the rest of the body, faces degenerative changes, most commonly affecting the discs of the spine.
What is corrective scolibrace?
The ScoliBrace doesn’t just work towards slowing/stopping progression, like the Boston brace, but actually correcting the abnormal spinal curvature.
Does progression slow down?
As adults have the big trigger for progression (growth) removed, by reaching skeletal maturity, progression tends to slow down; however, over time, the cumulative effects of slow progression can also be significant, resulting in a large degree of curvature.
Can you take pain medication for scoliosis?
Medications to deal with pain can be prescribed, but this is not treating the actual scoliosis, but rather a symptom of it. Typically, pain is far more commonly a part of the scoliosis experience in adults, which is why pain management is such a big part of treating adult scoliosis.
Is there a right or wrong way to react to scoliosis?
While there is no right or wrong way to react, it’s important to have a full understanding of the condition itself, as well as potential treatment options. When it comes to treating scoliosis, there are two main treatment approaches: traditional and functional.
Is scoliosis common in adolescents?
This is commonplace because, as you can see from the accompanying chart, scoliosis develops across a wide spectrum of severity; in addition, scoliosis in adolescents is rarely a painful condition, making early detection challenging. In degenerative scoliosis, this form is most common in adults over the age of 40.
How many degrees is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is diagnosed when the curve exceeds 10 degrees. However, by the time adults seek treatment, the curve usually exceeds 30 degrees. The doctor will also use the physical exam and imaging to assess the patient for signs of spinal stenosis (the narrowing or compression of the spinal canal).
What is the procedure for scoliosis?
Adults with scoliosis and spinal stenosis often also require a decompression procedure in which the roof of the vertebral column is removed at the affected area, freeing the nerve from any material that is compressing it, prior to fusion.
What are the complications of scoliosis surgery?
Complications of scoliosis surgery in adults can include: pseudarthrosis (a nonunion of the spine fusion), which may lead to loosening of the implanted instruments. spinal imbalance, which refers to problems with the correction, including the inability of unfused segments to spontaneously correct and balance the spine.
Why does scoliosis hurt?
Pain: Adults with scoliosis often experience pain, which leads them to seek medical care. “Pain may be related to the curve itself or due to compression of the spinal nerves,” explains Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, MD, Chief Emeritus of the Scoliosis Service at HSS.
What are the three major sections of the spine?
Scoliosis can affect the spine in any of its three major sections: cervical spine (neck) thoracic spine (chest and upper back region) lumbar spine (lower back) Figure 5: Diagram showing the sections of the healthy spine, with the neck (cervical) section at the top, followed below by the thoracic and lumbar sections, ...
What is the most common type of surgery for scoliosis?
The most common type of surgery in adults is a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation (artificial implants). In this procedure, the orthopedic surgeon makes an incision from the back, places screws to correct the scoliosis and then essentially "welds" the vertebrae together using bone chips. These chips may be:
What is a lateral curvature of the spine?
Scoliosis is a lateral (or sideways) curvature of the spine in one or more places. This different from the condition known as kyphosis, where the spine has an abnormal, forward-oriented curvature.
How many degrees does scoliosis progression take?
Research shows that the curve progression in an adult will vary between 0.5 to 3.0 degrees per year, depending on the shape of the curve, overall curve size, and the age of the scoliosis onset. It was previously thought that progression only happens for people with more extreme curves of more than 30 or 40 degrees.
How many degrees per year does scoliosis progress?
The research on scoliosis tells us that a typical adult will have progression of their curve, and that the progression will vary from 0.5 to 3.0 degrees per year. I have great news for you: Your condition is treatable. There is hope.
What braces are ill fitting?
Scoliosis bra ces like the Boston Brace, Milwaukee Brace, Providence Brace, Charleston Brace, or the many TLSO braces that are available at hospitals around the world, are ill fitting and seek to lock the scoliosis into its distortion. This is similar to what a cast does to a broken arm – lock it in place.
How do you fix scoliosis?
Surgery to correct scoliosis involves placing one or two metal rods stabilized by hooks and screws along the spine in an effort to prevent further curvature. The surgeon uses pins and bone grafts to keep the rod in place next to the spine. This is called “fusion surgery.” The spinal bones are fused together, destroying the joints of the spine.
What are the main concerns of a scoliosis patient?
Adult scoliosis has two main concerns that don’t apply to a majority of adolescent sufferers. They are: Pain. Disability.
What are the consequences of scoliosis?
Another terrible consequence of untreated scoliosis is disability. You lose your freedom to do the things that you love to do and can become less and less independent. Some severe scoliosis sufferers cannot even stand or walk because their condition is so degenerative.
Can scoliosis cause back pain in teens?
Though it is rare for scoliosis to cause pain in adolescence, pain is a common symptom of scoliosis in adults. The patients in my office receiving adult scoliosis treatment all say the same thing. They were told they had scoliosis as children and teens and advised to “watch and wait.” Then around middle age, quite often sooner, they begin to experience back pain, hip pain, or other symptoms only to discover that scoliosis is the underlying culprit.
Why is age important for scoliosis?
Age is particularly important to scoliosis because there is a marked difference between how adolescents and adults experience scoliosis-related pain. Due to the spine’s lengthening motion during the growth that characterizes the adolescent stage, many young people don’t experience pain as part of their condition.
What is the importance of knowing the severity of scoliosis?
Knowing the condition severity, age, curvature location, and cause of a patient’s condition helps determine the best possible course of treatment. These variables are also beneficial in preparing the patient for what to expect in terms of the scoliosis-related symptoms they are most likely to experience.
How is scoliosis determined?
Scoliosis takes many forms. Its degree of severity is determined via X-ray and a measurement known as the Cobb angle; this measurement uses the apex of the curve to class the curvature as mild, moderate, or severe. Whether or not surgery is recommended depends upon the condition’s severity, age of patient, treatment approach, ...
How is scoliosis classified?
How Scoliosis is Classified. Scoliosis is a complex condition with many fluctuating variables and symptoms differing from one patient to the next. As adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the condition’s most common form, we’ll focus on this age group.
What percentage of scoliosis cases are idiopathic?
The lion’s share of scoliosis cases are classed as ‘idiopathic’, meaning no known single cause, and this accounts for 80 percent of known diagnosed cases. The remaining 20 percent with known causes are classed as congenital, neuromuscular, degenerative, or traumatic.
What is the importance of knowing where a patient's curvature is located along the spine?
Knowing where a patient’s curvature is located along the spine, and in which direction it bends, is an important classification step as different curvature locations carry different symptoms and treatment needs.
Why is it important to classify scoliosis?
Classifying a patient’s scoliosis is as much for the patient’s benefit as it is for the health-care professionals. Understanding a condition from a number of important touch-points increases the likelihood of the patient’s condition being treated successfully.
What is 20 degree scoliosis?
In simple terms, the severity of an individual’s scoliosis is assessed on a scale ranging from mild (Cobb angle of 10-25°) to moderate (26-40°) to severe (40°+). This means a curve that measures around 20 degrees would be classed as mild scoliosis, which is obviously the least debilitating form of the condition.
What are the symptoms?
Patients with 20 degree scoliosis usually suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:
Treating 20 degree scoliosis
Young patients with mild scoliosis will usually be recommended to wear a specially-fitted back brace – read about bracing here.
Case Study: Lottie, aged 12
Lottie is a young dancer who was diagnosed with a 19° scoliosis curvature. She came to us for treatment to help prevent her scoliosis curvature getting worse as she grew. She really enjoyed her treatment with us and knows that she will be able to prevent her condition worsening by continuing to practice her exercises at home.
