Scoliosis (Spinal Curve)

The treatment for scoliosis varies depending on the condition that produced the scoliosis and the type of scoliosis that the individual has. In other words, in some patients, the treatment process takes a natural path, and in others, the reaction to therapy varies depending on the patient's response to treatment. Scoliosis develops and progresses throughout childhood and youth. As a result, the curvature of the spine continues to expand.

As a result of all of these factors, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment that can address all of these issues. Scoliosis treatment should vary from patient to patient and be based on a thorough review of the age at which the condition was discovered, the location and degree of the curve, physical examination findings, and radiologic study results. Scoliosis treatment is "individualized," to put it another way.

Although each treatment option varies depending on the specific patient, there are generally three therapy options available once a patient is diagnosed with scoliosis. The first option is follow up, which is appropriate for curves less than 20 degrees and entails checking in at regular intervals, participating in sports, and improving overall physical condition. Scoliosis-specific physical therapy exercises may be beneficial. These workouts, however, need precise timing. Exercising too early in the child's life can lead to frustration. When this happens, the child may not desire to make exercises at later ages when there is rapid growth and the exercises are really needed.

The second alternative is to use a brace. This is useful in patients who have a growth potential and have curves ranging from 20 to 40 degrees. The early phase results of a multicentric study conducted in the United States and Canada were released in 2013. Patients who used braces had a lower rate of surgery than those who did not use braces, according to the findings. In other words, patients who use braces have a lesser chance of needing surgery. Based on these preliminary findings, the trial was halted, and all patients were advised to wear braces. It was discovered that wearing the brace for 20-23 hours a day was necessary for adequate efficacy.

Surgical therapy is another possibility. Curves greater than 40-45 degrees are frequently considered needing surgery. Correction and fusion operations are performed on teenagers and adults who have completed their lung development. Because the movement of the vertebrae incorporated into the fusion would be limited, a thorough preoperative evaluation and planning is required to achieve the best results while operating on the fewest levels possible.