Surgery
Doctors use
scoliosis surgery to correct a curve or stop it from getting worse when the person is:
- Still growing
- The curve is more than 45 degrees
- The curve is getting worse.
Surgery often involves fusing together two or more bones in the spine. During scoliosis surgery, your doctor may also put in a metal rod or other devices, which are called implants. The implants stay in the body and help keep the spine straight after surgery.
(Click Surgery for Scoliosis for more information about surgery treatment options.)
Exercise programs have not been shown to prevent scoliosis from getting worse. However, it is important for all people, including those with scoliosis, to exercise and remain physically fit. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, running, soccer, and gymnastics help keep bones strong, and exercising and playing sports may improve a person's sense of well-being.
(Click Scoliosis Exercises for more information about scoliosis and exercise.)
Information on Scoliosis and Other Treatments
So far, the following treatments have not been shown to prevent curves from getting worse in scoliosis:
- Chiropractic treatment
- Electrical stimulation
- Nutritional supplements
- Exercise.
Researchers continue to look for the cause of idiopathic scoliosis. They have studied genetics, growth, structural and biochemical alterations in the discs and muscles, and central nervous system changes. The changes in the discs and muscles seem to be a result of scoliosis and not the cause of scoliosis. However, scientists are still hopeful that studying changes in the central nervous system (in people with idiopathic scoliosis) may reveal a cause of this disorder.
Researchers continue to examine how a variety of braces, surgical procedures, and surgical instruments can be used to straighten the spine or to prevent further curvature. They are also studying the long-term effects of a scoliosis fusion and the long-term effects of untreated scoliosis.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print