It can be a discouraging experience to decide on the appropriate treatment for your child that has scoliosis. In this post, we reveal a few options for the treatment of scoliosis, which may give you some more insight on the topic.
Observation
If the child has a small curve, for example, between 10 and 24 degrees, she may be measured only a few times per year. This is referred to as observation. The aim of observation is that in the case of the curve increasing to more than 25 degrees or higher; another treatment must be initiated. The prescribed number of doctors’ visits for observation is every 4-6 months. Due to an adult’s bones not growing anymore, observation is typically necessary only in the case of nerve systems accompanying scoliosis.
Bracing
When your child’s bones are still growing, the idea with scoliosis treatment is to counteract the curve from increasing. If the curve is between twenty-five and forty-five degrees, it may be necessary for bracing. Bracing is not always desirable for a growing child because it affects his self-esteem, among other things. But it is required for preventing pain symptoms and surgery at a later stage. If a brace is worn between 16 and 23 hours per day as per doctor’s orders until the growing period ends, the probability for the curves to stop progressing is about eighty percent.
Chiropractic treatment
Many people turn to a chiropractic Austin for scoliosis curve management. But many are under the impression that this treatment can help with straightening their spines. Unfortunately, there is trifle evidence to suggest this is the case. Chiropractic treatment may be helpful to relieve the symptoms of scoliosis but are not viewed as a permanent solution.
Surgery
Once the scoliosis curve measurement has reached 40 or 50 degrees, the doctor typically recommends surgery. This is the case for both adults and teens. In teens, the symptoms of curve progression must be present. In adults, surgery is prescribed when the curve reaches 50 degrees, and there is nerve damage present in the legs and bladder, or bowel issues are experienced. Scoliosis surgery is done to straighten the curve and prevent it from progressing further. Surgery involves having metal implants and rods inserted into the spine. The implants can lower or eliminate the curves as well as keep the spine in position until fusion (knitting together of spinal elements) happens. Adults who had scoliosis surgery many years ago may need to have revision surgery later. Long spinal fusions which were performed earlier may cause wear and tear, which lead to pressure on the vertebrae which is above and below the fusion. In such a case, it may result in adjacent segment disease where degenerative alterations can cause arthritis in the facet joints, discs, and ligaments. To relieve the pressure on nerves, revision scoliosis surgery may involve decompression surgery and another fusion.
Schroth
Most scoliosis treatments methods in the US involve conventional medical treatments which are observation, bracing, or surgery. However, in Europe, more emphasis is placed on physical therapy approaches like the Schroth method. This entails specific ongoing exercises, braces, and lifestyle coaching with the aim to reverse curves in teens and adults. The Schroth Method has been successful in allowing some patients with large curves to circumvent surgery.