Surgery is usually recommended to treat severe scoliosis. The surgery works towards severe spinal curve. It results in a perfectly straight spine. However, the main goal is to ensure overall spinal balance and prevent curve from getting worse. The scoliosis surgery usually involves stabilizing of spine and preventing curve from getting worse through a process of joining vertebrae together permanently.
Considerations to Make Before Surgery:
• Age of patient
• Size, direction, and location of the spinal curve(s).
• If any other treatment (e.g. bracing) has failed to produce results in the past.
If the child has a moderate to severe curve
An adult suffers from severe with curve getting worse
Pain or discomfort while undertaking day to day activities
Bracing does not work
Doctors feel braces cannot be used
The primary type of scoliosis surgery involves a spinal fusion after attaching rods to the spine. The process of spinal fusion will work towards stabilizing and decreasing the overall size of the curve. It also effectively stops the curve from getting worse via joining the vertebrae permanently into a solid mass of bone.
This is yet another technique undertaken without any fusion. Here, the surgeon will attach devices such as metal rods to the spine with an aim to stabilize a spinal curve sans fusing the spine together. The process is only recommended for very young children when a fusion that stops growth of the spine's fused part is no more required. The child has to wear a brace full-time post surgery.
The timing of surgery for scoliosis in children is controversial. Spinal fusion stops the growth of the fused part of the spine, so some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably 12. But even after surgery the rest of the spine will continue to grow normally in children who are still growing.
Surgical treatment in children and teens usually requires several days in the hospital and limitations on activity for approximately a year. In adults, the average hospital stay is longer.
Adults who have surgery for scoliosis that results from changes in the spine due to ageing (degenerative scoliosis) are more likely than children to have significant complications. Even though surgery usually reduces their pain, other complications, such as wound infections, may occur.
Other treatments for scoliosis surgery recommended include:
Observation - A mild spinal curve is growing children may require regular checkups every 4 to 6 months. This will help the doctor keep tabs on the curve and make out if it is getting worse.
Bracing – Wearing a brace is a part of orthotic treatment which is usually used for a child with moderate curve. The bracing technique is very effective in preventing the curve from getting worse as the child grows. Doctors usually recommend patients to continue with the treatment until the skeleton stops growing.
Other Options – Doctors also recommend spinal manipulation, corrective exercises, and electrical stimulation as a part of scoliosis treatment. However, there is no evidence that these make for effective treatments for the condition.
Considerations to Make Before Surgery:
• Age of patient
• Size, direction, and location of the spinal curve(s).
• If any other treatment (e.g. bracing) has failed to produce results in the past.
Surgery is an Option under the following cases:
If the child has a moderate to severe curve
An adult suffers from severe with curve getting worse
Pain or discomfort while undertaking day to day activities
Bracing does not work
Doctors feel braces cannot be used
Surgical Options
Spinal Fusion
The primary type of scoliosis surgery involves a spinal fusion after attaching rods to the spine. The process of spinal fusion will work towards stabilizing and decreasing the overall size of the curve. It also effectively stops the curve from getting worse via joining the vertebrae permanently into a solid mass of bone.
Instrumentation
This is yet another technique undertaken without any fusion. Here, the surgeon will attach devices such as metal rods to the spine with an aim to stabilize a spinal curve sans fusing the spine together. The process is only recommended for very young children when a fusion that stops growth of the spine's fused part is no more required. The child has to wear a brace full-time post surgery.
What to Know
The timing of surgery for scoliosis in children is controversial. Spinal fusion stops the growth of the fused part of the spine, so some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the child is at least 10 years old and preferably 12. But even after surgery the rest of the spine will continue to grow normally in children who are still growing.
Surgical treatment in children and teens usually requires several days in the hospital and limitations on activity for approximately a year. In adults, the average hospital stay is longer.
Adults who have surgery for scoliosis that results from changes in the spine due to ageing (degenerative scoliosis) are more likely than children to have significant complications. Even though surgery usually reduces their pain, other complications, such as wound infections, may occur.
Scoliosis - Other Treatment
Other treatments for scoliosis surgery recommended include:
Observation - A mild spinal curve is growing children may require regular checkups every 4 to 6 months. This will help the doctor keep tabs on the curve and make out if it is getting worse.
Bracing – Wearing a brace is a part of orthotic treatment which is usually used for a child with moderate curve. The bracing technique is very effective in preventing the curve from getting worse as the child grows. Doctors usually recommend patients to continue with the treatment until the skeleton stops growing.
Other Options – Doctors also recommend spinal manipulation, corrective exercises, and electrical stimulation as a part of scoliosis treatment. However, there is no evidence that these make for effective treatments for the condition.
