How to treat scoliosis

If you or someone you care about has been told they have scoliosis, one of the first questions is usually: Can you straighten the spine again?

The answer is more complicated than yes or no. Depending on your age and the severity of the curve, treatment may focus on preventing scoliosis from getting worse, reducing pain and improving function – or, in more severe cases, surgically correcting the curve.

Here’s what doctors can do about scoliosis, and what patients should expect from treatment plans.

Scoliosis is a C- or S-shaped curve of the spine, and there are different types and causes. The most common type is called idiopathic scoliosis and is most commonly diagnosed in children and teens starting at age 11, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Adults can develop the condition as well.

"Scoliosis can be corrected surgically and sometimes with bracing. So, we treat small curves with bracing to try to prevent them from progressing. We treat the bigger curves with surgery, not only to prevent it from progressing, but we can also correct a large component of the scoliosis," says Dr. Michael Albert, chief of pediatric orthopedics at Dayton Children’s…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/life/