Procedures
The treatment options for scoliosis fall into three main categories: Observation of scoliosis. Observation is for curves that have a small degree measurement when patients are growing (adolescent scoliosis), or for moderate size curves (< 40-45 degrees) when patients are done growing. For adults, observation and physical therapy are ...
Self-care
Scoliosis with a primary diagnosis (nonidiopathic) must be recognized by the physician to identify the causes, which may require intervention. Patients with congenital scoliosis must be evaluated for cardiac and renal abnormalities. School screening for scoliosis is controversial and is falling out of favour.
Nutrition
The goal of scoliosis surgery is typically to either stabilize the spine through a fusion procedure or relieve nerve compression related to scoliosis through a decompression procedure. In either situation, scoliosis surgery does not involve correcting or fixing the actual curvature.
What are the treatment options for scoliosis?
A child older than 10 years of age who has not reached skeletal maturity can be referred at any time, but definitely once the curve reaches 20° to 25°. Because typical scoliosis rarely progresses faster than 1° per month, a referral within three to six months is appropriate.
What is the primary diagnosis for scoliosis?
What is the goal of scoliosis surgery?
When should a child with scoliosis be referred for treatment?
What is observation treatment for scoliosis?
The idea behind watching and waiting (or observation) is to monitor a mild case of scoliosis to see if it gets worse. Watching and waiting is prescribed for young teenagers with a small curve who have not finished growing. Typically, x-rays are taken every six months or so.
What is the most common treatment for scoliosis?
For adults, observation and physical therapy are for those patients who have mild symptoms and have curves that are not large. Nonoperative treatment, such as bracing, is for curves between 25 and 45 degrees in growing children to prevent further progression of the curve while growth of the spine remains.
What are the current treatments for scoliosis?
Currently, the three accepted treatments for patients with a scoliosis deformity include observation, bracing, and spinal fusion surgery. Observation is indicated for patients with small curves (<25°) or in those patients who are skeletally mature and have stable curves up to 40-50° in magnitude.
What is scoliosis examination?
A scoliosis exam allows doctors to see whether the spine has a curve. People with scoliosis can have a single curve, creating a “C” shape, or a double curve, creating an “S” shape. Scoliosis exams are physical examinations involving exercises that allow a doctor to see the shape of the spine.
What is the treatment for 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 are the different types of scoliosis surgery?
Choices for scoliosis surgery include:Posterior approach (back)Anterior-posterior approach (front and back)Anterior approach (front)Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS, Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery)Thoracoplasty (rib resection, rib removal)Osteotomies (bone removal)More items...•
When is treatment needed for scoliosis?
Observation. Mild curves, like those found in 90% of scoliosis cases, typically don't require treatment. If your child has this condition, your family doctor may recommend the wait-and-see approach. Some kids develop “idiopathic” scoliosis, meaning doctors don't know what caused it.
How do you treat scoliosis without surgery?
"The appropriate treatment depends on the magnitude of the curve, the location of the curve in the spine and the child's developmental stage of maturity in their bones." Nonsurgical treatments for scoliosis include observation, physical therapy, the Schroth method, bracing and Mehta casting.
Can scoliosis be corrected with physical therapy?
Physical therapy is effective in treating scoliosis. Physical therapy is the most common treatment for scoliosis thanks to its efficacy. Therapists continue to develop new methods in successfully fostering a healthy spine in patients with this condition.
Which procedure is done for the scoliosis test?
Scoliosis is usually confirmed through a physical examination, an x-ray, spinal radiograph, CT scan or MRI. The curve is measured by the Cobb Method and is diagnosed in terms of severity by the number of degrees.
What is the best treatment for curvature of the spine?
Severe scoliosis typically progresses with time, so your doctor might suggest scoliosis surgery to help straighten the curve and prevent it from getting worse. Surgical options include: Spinal fusion.
What tests can be done to diagnose scoliosis?
Imaging tests. Plain X-rays can confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and reveal the severity of the spinal curvature. If a doctor suspects that an underlying condition — such as a tumor — is causing the scoliosis, he or she may recommend additional imaging tests, such as an MRI.
How to help a child with scoliosis?
Encourage your child to talk to his or her friends and ask for their support. Consider joining a support group for parents and kids with scoliosis.
What is the most common type of scoliosis surgery?
The most common type of scoliosis surgery is called spinal fusion. In spinal fusion , surgeons connect two or more of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) together, so they can't move independently. Pieces of bone or a bone-like material are placed between the vertebrae.
How often should a scoliosis rod be lengthened?
This growing rod is attached to the top and bottom sections of the spinal curvature, and is usually lengthened every six months.
What is a low profile brace for scoliosis?
Scoliosis brace. This low-profile brace is made of plastic materials and is contoured to conform to the body. If your child's bones are still growing and he or she has moderate scoliosis, your doctor may recommend a brace.
What factors are considered when treating curves?
Factors to be considered include: Sex. Girls have a much higher risk of progression than do boys. Severity of curve.
Can scoliosis be treated with a brace?
Most children with scoliosis have mild curves and probably won't need treatment with a brace or surgery. Children who have mild scoliosis may need regular checkups to see if there have been changes in the curvature of their spines as they grow. While there are guidelines for mild, moderate and severe curves, the decision to begin treatment is ...
What is the treatment for scoliosis?
The treatment options for scoliosis fall into three main categories: Observation of scoliosis . Observation is for curves that have a small degree measurement when patients are growing (adolescent scoliosis), or for moderate size curves (< 40-45 degrees) when patients are done growing. For adults, observation and physical therapy are ...
How severe is a scoliosis curve?
Most scoliosis surgeons agree that children who have very severe curves (50 degrees and higher) will need surgery to lessen the curve and prevent it from getting worse.
How many degrees does scoliosis get?
Once someone is done growing, it is very rare for a curve to progress rapidly. We know from studies that once someone is fully grown, scoliosis less than 30 degrees tends not to get worse, while those curves greater than 50 degrees can get worse over time, by about 1 to 1 1/2 degrees per year.
What are the symptoms of a curve in a child?
Patient gender. Curve worsening. Associated symptoms such as back pain or shortness of breath. In summary, when planning a child's treatment, a doctor will take into account how severe the child's curve is and where it occurs in the spine.
Is physical therapy effective for scoliosis?
However, there is little evidence to show that physical therapy is more effective than doing nothing in stopping the curve from getting worse during growth. If you have spinal problems in addition to your scoliosis (such as back pain), your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to address your specific needs.
Is physiotherapy good for scoliosis?
However, these and other methods may provide some physical benefit to the patient (e.g., core strengthening and symptom relief). Physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercises are increasingly used in conjunction with bracing in the treatment of progressive idiopathic scoliosis.
What is the goal of scoliosis?
Typically the main treatment goals for scoliosis are the prevention of curve progression and the reduction of any back pain, in order to maximize mobility and independence ( 1, 2 ).
What age does degenerative scoliosis develop?
Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) differs from adult idiopathic scoliosis in that it develops after adolescence. If you’re over the age of 50 who’s recently been diagnosed with scoliosis, chances are it’s a case of ADS.
How many vertebrae are there in the spinal column?
There are seven vertebrae in the cervical spine (neck), twelve in the thoracic spine (upper back), and five in the lumbar spine (lower back).
What is a twist in the spine?
Scoliosis is an orthopaedic spinal deformity involving a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine that’s greater than 10 degrees ( 1, 2 ). It also frequently involves abnormal rotation of the vertebrae in the spine, resulting in a 3-dimensional deformity ( 1, 2, 3 ). In other words, people with scoliosis have a twist that causes their spine to be bent sideways, bent forward, and rotated all at the same time. Often a spine with scoliosis will look “S” or “C” shaped from the back.
What is spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion is generally considered in cases of AIS in which the curve exceeds 45 degrees or shows rapid progression. This type of surgery uses metal rods and bone grafts to fuse the vertebrae, thereby limiting curve progression and improving spinal balance ( 2, 3 ).
What is the role of the disc in the spine?
The discs also allow for greater mobility, as your vertebrae pivots off the discs above and below them.
Is scoliosis classified by age?
Scoliosis can also be classified by age of onset. This classification is most relevant in cases of idiopathic scoliosis, and it can also be helpful when diagnosing scoliosis in adults. Below are the common age categories for scoliosis:
How to diagnose scoliosis?
Scoliosis is usually confirmed through a physical examination, an x-ray, spinal radiograph, CT scan or MRI. The curve is measured by the Cobb Method and is diagnosed in terms of severity by the number of degrees.
What is a scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence. The spine's normal curves occur at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the so-called “sagittal” plane.
How old is scoliosis in children?
Scoliosis in children is classified by age: 1.) Infantile (0 to 3 years); 2.) Juvenile (3 to 10 years); and 3.) Adolescent (age 11 and older, or from onset of puberty until skeletal maturity). Idiopathic scoliosis comprises the vast majority of cases presenting during adolescence.
What plane is scoliosis measured in?
Scoliosis is often defined as spinal curvature in the “coronal” (frontal) plane. While the degree of curvature is measured on the coronal plane, scoliosis is actually a more complex, three-dimensional problem which involves the following planes: Coronal plane. Sagittal plane. Axial plane.
Why do vertebral abnormalities cause curvature and other deformities of the spine?
The vertebral abnormalities cause curvature and other deformities of the spine because one area of the spinal column lengthens at a slower rate than the rest. The geometry and location of the abnormalities determine the rate at which the scoliosis progresses in magnitude as the child grows.
How long does it take to recover from scoliosis surgery?
Most patients are able to return to school or work in two to four weeks post surgery and are able to resume all pre-surgical activities within four to six months .
What is the classification of scoliosis?
Scoliosis can be classified by etiology: idiopathic, congenital or neuromuscular. Idiopathic scoliosis is the diagnosis when all other causes are excluded and comprises about 80 percent of all cases. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis and is usually diagnosed during puberty.
Understanding the types of scoliosis and their primary causes
The spine has a natural curvature when viewed from the side, making an “S” shape. This helps with spinal stability and flexibility, allowing us to perform our daily activities while protecting the spinal cord and other parts of the central nervous system.
Scoliosis treatment varies on a case-by-case basis
Scoliosis is a nonreversible condition without a known cure. Because of this, the goal of scoliosis treatment is usually to manage symptoms and improve function.
When to consider scoliosis surgery and what to know
The goal of scoliosis surgery is typically to either stabilize the spine through a fusion procedure or relieve nerve compression related to scoliosis through a decompression procedure. In either situation, scoliosis surgery does not involve correcting or fixing the actual curvature.
Reach out to USA Spine Care to learn more
USA Spine Care is a leader in multidisciplinary care for a wide range of spine and orthopedic conditions, including most types of scoliosis. Whether you need physical therapy, therapeutic injections or minimally invasive spine surgery, we’re committed to helping patients get back to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Scoliosis Quick Answers
Scoliosis is a progressive condition, so it does tend to get worse with age. However, this varies on a case-by-case basis, so it is possible to slow down the progression of scoliosis. Taking a proactive approach to your treatment offers the best chance of better outcomes for scoliosis.
Is Observation Ever The Right Choice?
Avoiding Surgery with Non-Surgical Treatment
Why Observation Does Not Work
What Should I Do If I Have Been Prescribed Observation?
Specialist to consult
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Today, non-surgical treatment from scoliosis consists of two major approaches, exercise-based and bracing. Scoliosis braces are the most effective non-surgical method for reducing cobb angle. There are many different kinds of scoliosis brace and the way they work is different, however broadly speaking braces can be classified as active correction braces (which aim to reduce scol…
Clinical Trials
- Simply put, Observation is not a treatment for scoliosis, it is simply the act of watching and waiting, hoping the condition does not worse – however recent research has shown that scoliosis almost never resolves without treatment. While it was once thought that scoliosis would not always progress, modern research has demonstrated, for example, tha...
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis but have been advised that observation or “wait and see” is the best approach, the best option is to book a consultation with a scoliosis specialist. Even if your condition is not serious enough to merit bracing, some targeted scoliosis specific exercise can, at the very least, help to prevent the curve from developing further rather than simp…
Alternative Medicine
Coping and Support
- Scoliosis treatments vary, depending on the severity of the curve. Children who have very mild curves usually don't need any treatment at all, although they may need regular checkups to see if the curve is worsening as they grow. Bracing or surgery may be needed if the spinal curve is moderate or severe. Factors to be considered include: 1. Maturit...
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.