Scoliosis Treatment
Performed by the award winning doctors in Raleigh, North Carolina
Scoliosis is a disorder in which a person’s spine curves to either the right or left side of the body in an abnormal manner. The spine is naturally somewhat curved, but it should normally appear straight up and down when viewing it directly from the front. Scoliosis patients will have a moderate to severe curvature, with the twisted spine forming an “S” or “C” shape.
Development of scoliosis can happen at any age, but it is most common after the age of ten and is almost two times more likely to be found in girls rather than boys. Scoliosis affects about six million people in the U.S., but only a small percentage has a severe enough case to require extensive treatment.
Treatments for Scoliosis are generally non-to minimally invasive and are conservative in nature.
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What Causes Scoliosis?
One type of the disorder is congenital scoliosis, which is caused by bone abnormities and can be diagnosed directly at birth. Another type, neuromuscular scoliosis, is caused by an abnormality in the body’s muscles or nerves. People with already existing conditions, such as cerebral palsy or paralysis, can develop neuromuscular scoliosis.
The most common type of the disorder is idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is the diagnosis given to over 80% of scoliosis patients, all which have no specific cause associated with developing the condition. Research supports that this type of scoliosis may have a strong link to heredity.
Treatments for Scoliosis
Treatment for scoliosis is critical, because if the condition is neglected the spinal distortion could worsen. The goal of treatment for any scoliosis patient is to minimize the symptoms of the disorder, prevent any progression of the illness, and improve quality of life.
Most treatment plans will be based on the severity of the patient’s condition and incorporate a wide variety of therapies to increase positive outcomes. Traditional types of treatment recommended for scoliosis are physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, exercise, and daily bracing of the back.
Medication therapy is also commonly used for scoliosis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid medications have been found to be most effective with pain relief. Epidural steroid injections have been successful with pain symptoms as well.