Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine bends unnaturally from side to side rather than from front to back. Because the spine is not aligned as it should be, serious cases of scoliosis can cause balance, walking, and development problems. Luckily, however, most cases of scoliosis are fairly minor and only result in some back pain, poor posture, and other minor symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
If your scoliosis is minor enough and is not causing any symptoms, you do not need treatment. In fact, you may even go through your entire life without ever knowing you had scoliosis! However, if you experience back pain, poor posture that is not your fault, and balance or walking problems, you will need treatment. Treatment will depend on your age, the severity of your condition, and other factors.
If your doctor notices that you have scoliosis, but your spine has less than a 20-degree curve, they will hold off on treatment. However, you will need to see your doctor for regular checkups to ensure the curve is not worsening.
If your scoliosis is causing minor symptoms and problems, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Physical therapists will have exercises and stretches that can naturally straighten out the shape of your spine. These exercises and stretches can also relieve some of the pain associated with scoliosis. However, this will only work in minor cases, as major ones require more invasive treatments.
In addition to stretches and exercises, there are plenty of at-home treatments you can try. These treatments are intended to ease symptoms of pain and discomfort rather than actually straighten your spine.
While scoliosis can happen to anyone at any age, it is often a congenital condition, which means it is most common in children. Luckily, scoliosis in children is easier to treat than adult-onset scoliosis because the spine is still growing and moving. Therefore, your doctor may be able to correct scoliosis in children using braces.
These braces encompass the back, front, and sides of your child. They help to realign the spine and the recommendation is typically to wear them for at least 12 hours per day. Braces are most helpful with mild to moderate cases of scoliosis. Major cases with a severe spinal curvature often require surgery.
In addition to causing walking and development problems, severe cases of scoliosis can actually be life-threatening. If the curve in your spine is severe enough, it can put pressure on the lungs and cause breathing issues.
To prevent this, surgery may be the only way to permanently correct your scoliosis. There are several surgical options to choose from, including:
With this procedure, the individual vertebrae in the spine are fused together to keep it straight. The vertebrae are held in place with metal screws and rods.
For rapidly progressing scoliosis, your child may need to have an expanding metal rod installed in your spine. The rod keeps your spine straight and can be periodically replaced with a longer one as your child grows.
While scoliosis can be a frightening and challenging condition, it is usually minor and does not require treatment. However, if you notice that the curve of your child’s spine is not perfectly straight, you should talk to your doctor. They may have scoliosis, and even minor cases in children should be diagnosed and monitored.