Scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity that affects children. In fact, scoliosis cases in the US have now exceeded 4 million. Every year, about 133,300 children have to visit the hospital because of scoliosis.

In fact, spinal deformity in children and adolescents accounts for the highest number of musculoskeletal deformity health care visits.

Thankfully, the treatments for scoliosis have expanded over the years. There are now non-surgical procedures you can choose from to treat a spinal deformation.

Not sure which treatment option is right for you? Keep reading to discover how scoliosis is treated today. After reading this guide, you can review your options with a doctor.

Then, you can make a more informed decision with your spine, lifestyle, and overall health in mind.

Read on to discover the different scoliosis treatments that are available today!

Observation

Once you or a loved one is diagnosed with scoliosis, you’ll need to consult an orthopedic doctor. With their help, you can explore the best treatments for scoliosis based on your needs.

How your scoliosis is managed can vary based on different factors, including your:

  • Age
  • Type of scoliosis
  • Back’s curve
  • Other medical conditions

Doctors will also consider how much younger patients will grow before choosing a course of treatment.

At this stage, talk to your doctor about any symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, mention breathing problems, limited body function, or pain.

If you have a mild curve or spinal deformation, your doctor likely won’t recommend spinal surgery. In fact, many mild cases don’t require treatment.

For younger patients, a doctor might recommend a wait-and-see approach. Many children develop “idiopathic” scoliosis. In these cases, the cause isn’t always clear.

Idiopathic scoliosis can occur during a patient’s growth-spurt years, usually between the ages of 10 and 18.

In these cases, doctors will monitor the patient. They’ll watch how the child’s body changes during puberty to determine if the curve will get worse.

Back Brace

As you explore non-surgical procedures for treating scoliosis, you’ll likely want to talk to the doctor about a back brace. Back braces are ideal for patients with curves that measure between 20 and 40 degrees. A back brace might stop the curve’s progress as the patient grows.

A back brace won’t correct the curve, though.

Most back braces are made using hard plastic. Some remain rigid while others are elastic and therefore easy to move.

The type of back brace a patient needs depends on how severe the curve is and where it’s located. The patient will need to wear the brace between 16 and 23 hours a day.

The purpose of using a back brace is to control the curve, allowing patients to avoid spinal surgery.

Surgery

If a patient’s curve is between 45 and 50 degrees, it will probably get worse down the road. It might also affect how the lungs function. In these cases, doctors might recommend spinal fusion surgery.

Spinal surgery could help stop the increase of curves.

During the procedure, small bones in the spine that appear curved are fused. As the patient’s back heals, the vertebrae will form a single straight bone. The curve shouldn’t continue to change, since growth in the spine’s area has stopped.

This operation will require a bone graft. It can take anywhere between four to eight hours.

Degenerative Scoliosis Treatment

Patients who have degenerative scoliosis might consider treatments for scoliosis like physical therapy instead. Stretches, exercises, and PT can help build up the patient’s strength. Patients can also use over-the-counter medications and a brace to relieve their pain.

For patients who experience leg pain, a nerve block injection or epidural might offer temporary relief.

Degenerative scoliosis could cause disabling pain in the back or legs, affecting the patient’s quality of life.

If these non-surgical procedures don’t help, a doctor might recommend spinal surgery instead. Surgery could help improve the patient’s spinal balance. It can also relieve nerve pressure on the spine, which can ease pain symptoms.

During surgery, the bones in the spine will get fused together, correcting alignment issues.

After spinal surgery, however, the patient will need time to recover. They’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions, too. Patients can stay in a rehabilitation facility or nursing home to heal after surgery.

Alternative Treatments

You can also talk to your doctor about non-surgical treatments for scoliosis. For example, they might recommend chiropractic treatment, electrical stimulation, or natural supplements. These options won’t stop changes in spinal curves. Rather, they can help you manage your pain.

For example, your doctor might recommend you add more vitamin D to your diet. Vitamin D is found in sardines, mushrooms, egg yolks, and tuna. You can also take a supplement.

Otherwise, you can use bodyweight exercises and traditional physical therapy. Yoga might help, too. Always work with a qualified professional. They’ll understand which exercises might worsen your condition, allowing you to avoid complications.

Your doctor might recommend Schroth Method Therapy, as well. This unique form of physical therapy is an alternative to scoliosis bracing and surgery. It can help patients who have a 10- to 30-degree curve.

Other non-surgical procedures include Mehta casting. Patients are placed under general anesthesia and cast with fiberglass casts. The casts could help address early onset scoliosis. It could help delay surgery in children with early-onset scoliosis, too.

Otherwise, talk to your doctor about ways to prevent scoliosis from progressing.

In adults, scoliosis is often the result of a collapsing spinal disc. Sometimes it develops because of a degenerative disorder. With that in mind, most adult scoliosis cases lead to surgery.

Stop Spinal Deformation: Exploring Potential Treatments for Scoliosis

Don’t let a spinal deformation impact your quality of life or future. Instead, consider these different treatments for scoliosis. You can review these options with your doctor to determine the best course of action based on your case.

Exploring your options right away will ensure you find the neck and back pain relief you need.

Want to discuss these treatments with an expert? We’re here for you. Contact us today to get started.