Diagnosing Scoliosis of the Spine
- Ask you about your medical and family history
- Perform a physical exam
- Order tests.
An x-ray of the spine can also help your doctor decide if you have scoliosis. The x-ray will allow your doctor to measure the curve of your spine in degrees (such as 25 degrees) and see its location, shape, and pattern.
Current Treatment of Scoliosis of the Spine
Treatment for scoliosis is based on:
- The person's age
- How much more he or she is likely to grow
- The type of scoliosis
- The degree and pattern of the curve.
Your doctor may recommend one of the following
scoliosis treatments: observation, surgery, or bracing.
Observation
Observation is used for people who have a curve of less than 25 degrees and who are still growing.
The doctor will check the curve every four to six months to see if it is getting better or worse.
(Click Scoliosis Treatment for more information about treatment options for scoliosis.)
Surgery
- The patient 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, the doctor may also put in a metal rod or other device, which is called an implant. The implants stay in the body and help keep the spine straight after surgery.
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