Scoliosis Treatment

Bracing Treatment for Idiopathic Scoliosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

Currently, bracing is the only non-operative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis advocated by the spine medical community.

All other forms of non-surgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - including chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, exercise or other manual treatments, nutrition, acupuncture, etc. - have not been proven to be effective in preventing progression or reducing the curvature.

Scoliosis Video: What is Scoliosis?

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:16:48 -0800

Scoliosis describes an abnormal, side to side curvature of the spine. This video provides an overview of how scoliosis affects the spine and the body.

Scoliosis Treatment

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:10 -0800

Decision for scoliosis treatment decisions are primarily based on two factors:

The skeletal maturity of the patient (or rather, how much more growth can be expected)
The degree of spinal curvature.

Although the cause of idiopathic scoliosis is unknown, the way scoliosis curves behave is fairly well understood. Basically, the younger the patient and the bigger the curve, the more likely the curve is to progress.

Scoliosis Surgery

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:10 -0800

Surgery for adolescents with scoliosis is only recommended when their curves are greater than 40 to 45 degrees and continuing to progress, and for most patients with curves that are greater than 50 degrees. Scoliosis surgery is designed to reduce the patients curvature and fuse the spine to prevent any further progression of the deformity.

Scoliosis: What You Need to Know

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:10 -0800

See inside scoliosis

The term scoliosis is used to describe an abnormal curvature of the spine, but it is not i

Diagnosis and Treatment of Scheuermann’s Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:10 -0800

The normal curvature of the thoracic spine is between 20 and 50 degrees. A curvature of more than 50 degrees, where the spine has three contiguous vertebral bodies that have wedging of 5 degrees or more, constitutes Scheuermann’s disease.

Conclusion to Bracing Treatment for Scoliosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

Currently, the spine medical community advocates bracing as the only non-surgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis. The objective of bracing treatment is to prevent the curve from progressing as the child grows, and studies have shown bracing is effective in stopping the progression of the majority of adolescent scoliotic curves.

More Scoliosis Info

Scoliosis Overview

Degenerative Scoliosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

Degenerative scoliosis comes about as the result of degeneration in the disc space and paired facet joints posteriorly (in the back of the spine). As the joints degenerate they turn and create a bend in the back, resulting in the classic scoliotic curve.

Whereas idiopathic scoliosis is much more common in the thoracic spine (mid back), degenerative scoliosis is much more common in the lumbar spine (lower back). It occurs most frequently in people over 65 years of age.

Back Braces

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

Motion of the lumbar (lower) spine can delay healing in fractures or in post-operative fusions. Limiting the motion of the spine enhances the healing process for bone in both conditions, and will also usually decrease the patient’s low back pain and discomfort.

Two types of back braces are commonly used to limit the motion in the spine:

Rigid braces
Corset braces (elastic braces)
read more

Types of Scoliosis Braces

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

There are several types of commonly used scoliosis braces:

1. Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis (TLSO)

The most common form of a TLSO brace is called the “Boston brace”, and it may be referred to as an “underarm” brace. This brace is fitted to the child’s body and custom molded from plastic. It works by applying three-point pressure to the curvature to prevent its progression. (See Figure 1.)

Bracing for Scoliosis Found Less Effective for Overweight Teens

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:54:09 -0800

A recent study at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center has shown that bracing treatment for scoliosis is significantly less effective for teenagers who are overweight. At present, wearing a back brace is the only non-operative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that is currently advocated by the spine medical community.