When the Spine Curves: Treatments for Scoliosis
The Treatment of Scoliosis
Forms of Treatment
Treatment of scoliosis is determined largely by the degree of the curvature. The risk of progression is also taken into account, in terms of the severity the curve may assume with no treatment. A physician considers other factors, like the history of scoliosis within a patient's family, the age of onset, the location of the curve and the curve's severity. The curve's severity can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.
- Mild curves range from 10 to 20 degrees and require little attention. A mild curve can be observed via x-ray over time. Periodic observation is the only form of treatment when a curve is mild.
- Moderate curves, from 25 to 40 degrees, are usually braced to prevent further curve progression. Braces are used to prevent curve progression during adolescence, while the spine is still growing, but they do not correct curvature that already exists. A curve may continue to progress some during adulthood. However, bracing during adolescence is thought to decrease the chance of further progression in adulthood.
10. Patient with moderate curve of 40 degrees
circa 1980
Courtesy of Weinstein, Stuart L., ed.
The Pediatric Spine: Principles and
Practice. Vol. II. New York: Raven Press, 1994.
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11. Patient with severe curve of 96 degrees
circa 1980
Courtesy of Weinstein, Stuart L., ed.
The Pediatric
Spine: Principles and
Practice. Vol. II. New York:
Raven Press, 1994.
|
Curves that exceed 40 degrees are considered severe and are most often treated with surgery. This form of treatment usually prevents any additional progression and reduces the curvature in most cases. Surgical procedures for scoliosis once required a long recovery time with bracing or casting, but are now safer and require no post-operative bracing. A patient walks before leaving the hospital and usually returns home in 5 to 7 days. |
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