It's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when your doctor tells you or your child that you have 'scoliosis' or 'curvature of the spine'. Questions like "What do I do now? Can't this be cured? Will I have to have surgery?" probably come to mind. But don't worry. Scoliosis is a condition that can affect anyone in the world, and it can be managed properly. Today, we're going to talk about it in detail, and that is, about the treatment options for it.
How is treatment decided?
Once you are diagnosed with scoliosis, you will usually be referred to an orthopedic doctor. The treatment plan will not be decided immediately. The doctor will carefully consider several factors.
- Your age: It's not the treatment given to a small child, it's given to an adult.
- Degree of spinal curvature (degrees): The degree of curvature of the spine is measured on an X-ray. This is a key factor in determining treatment .
- Type of scoliosis: There are several types depending on how it develops.
- If it's a child, how much more they will grow: If the child's growth hasn't stopped, there's a good chance the bed will grow even more.
- Other symptoms: Severe back pain may cause pain, limited body function, and difficulty breathing .
It is only after considering all of this that you decide which treatment method is most suitable for you.
| Treatment method | Who is it usually suitable for? | Main objective |
|---|---|---|
| Observation | For those with a low back pain, less than 20 degrees. | Waiting to see if the bed will get bigger. |
| A back brace | The bed is between 20-40 degrees, for children who are still growing. | Stop the bed from getting bigger. |
| Surgery | For those with severe levels, the bed is above 45-50 degrees. | Straightening and stabilizing the bed. |
Observation - "Wait and See" method
Nine out of ten people with scoliosis have a slight curve. In such cases, the doctor may say, "Let's watch it for a while." That is, without treatment, they will take X-rays every few months to see if the curve gets worse.
This condition can occur in children, especially for no apparent reason. In medicine, we call this ' Idiopathic Scoliosis '. It usually occurs between the ages of 10-18, which is when the body is changing rapidly and the height is increasing. If the curve is less than 20 degrees, this is often observed. Some children may have the same curve, while others may have a little more.
Wearing a back brace
If your child's back curve is between 20 and 40 degrees, and the child is still growing, the doctor will often recommend wearing a back brace.
Very important: Many people think that wearing a brace will straighten their spine. This is a misconception. A brace only stops or controls further curvature of the spine. A brace cannot straighten an existing curvature. The main purpose of this is to prevent future surgery.
These braces are made of hard plastic . Some are very rigid, while others are a little flexible. The brace that fits your child's body type is selected based on the nature of the child's posture. This brace needs to be worn for a long time, about 16-23 hours a day. You may need to use it until the child stops growing completely.
Surgery - When is it necessary?
If the curvature of the spine exceeds 45-50 degrees, it is very likely to worsen over time. Sometimes, this severe curvature can lead to a lack of space in the chest, which can affect lung function . This is when the doctor will recommend surgery.
This surgery is called spinal fusion surgery . Simply put, it involves fusing together the vertebrae (or spinal joints) that have been compressed. This involves using a small bone graft. As the spine heals after surgery, the fused joints become one solid, straight bone. Because growth in that area has stopped, the compression of the spine will not increase.
This surgery usually takes between 4 and 8 hours. You should discuss with your doctor when your child can return to school after the surgery.
Treatment of Degenerative Scoliosis in Adults
Scoliosis can also occur due to aging and the degeneration of the spine. We call this 'Degenerative Scoliosis'. The main goal of treatment here is to control the pain and make life easier.
Non-surgical methods are tried first.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises are taught to strengthen the muscles around the spine.
- Painkillers: Use painkillers prescribed by your doctor.
- Injections: An epidural or nerve block injection can be given to provide temporary relief from back or leg pain.
- A brace: You may be asked to use a brace for a short period of time when the pain is severe.
If the pain doesn't subside despite all of these measures, and if the pain is affecting your life to the point where you can't even do your daily tasks, your doctor may consider surgery.
Are other treatments effective?
You may have heard of things like chiropractic care, nutritional supplements, and electrical stimulation. But keep one thing in mind.
None of these methods have been scientifically proven to stop back pain from worsening. Therefore, before trying any other treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor and get their approval.
Finally, while exercise alone won't straighten your spine, maintaining a healthy, healthy weight is important at any age. Running, brisk walking, and playing sports like soccer can help keep your bones strong. That's a big boost for living with scoliosis as you age.
Take-Home Message
- Scoliosis is not something to be afraid of, it is a manageable condition.
- The treatment that is right for you will depend on your age, the size of your spine, and the stage of development if you are a child.
- A minor scoliosis is best treated with observation. A brace only stops the scoliosis from growing, not straightens it.
- Surgery is only required for severe cases that affect the lungs.
- If you are considering other treatment options, it is essential to talk to your doctor about them first.
- Staying healthy and active will help you a lot when living with scoliosis.
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