If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you probably have questions about soft scoliosis braces and other treatment options.
Soft Scoliosis Bracing for Children
As we covered previously, curves which are less than 10 degrees are usually considered to be spinal asymmetry and not scoliosis. Since they are unlikely to progress, treatment is not necessary.
However, your Arizona chiropractor needs to continue to monitor your child’s curve when you take him or her for regular checkups. Curves between 20 and 30 degrees in growing patients should also be observed by an orthopedic surgeon at an interval of 4 to 6 months.
During the period of observation, a physician may recommend treatment to a growing patient if:
– The spinal curve has reached 30 degrees and above.
– The spinal curve progresses above 5 degrees.
However, if the progression of the curve is less than 5 degrees during the observation period, your physician may not recommend treatment if he or she determines that the curvature isn’t deteriorating fast enough to cause deformity.
Scoliosis Surgery
Surgery is only recommended if:
– You have severe spinal curves (greater than 45 degrees).
– Your curves are worsening despite non-surgical intervention like bracing.
– The nerves in your spine are being compressed.
The main goal of scoliosis surgery is to stop the spinal curve from getting worse, correct the deformity and restore the proper spinal alignment and stability so that you can be able to enjoy doing normal activities again. To most patients, this means freedom from scoliosis braces that they were wearing before.
Since these operations are major, you can take a year or even more to recover fully from them. In addition, they also come with potentially serious complications like infections, blood clots, implants being loose, broken or displaced and damage to the spinal nerves.
Other Scoliosis Treatment Options
Medication
Pain on different parts of the body (especially the back and legs) is one of the major problems that people with scoliosis face. Because of this, your doctor may recommend painkilling medication to help you relieve the pain. Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol are often recommended first. However, if they don’t work, your doctor may recommend even stronger painkillers or refer you to a pain management specialist.
Physical Therapy
Though physical therapy by itself has not been proven to stop scoliosis curve from worsening during growth, there are specific exercises that can improve your flexibility and general posture. If you have other problems like back pain in addition to scoliosis, your physician may recommend physical therapy to meet your specific needs.
If you suspect that you have scoliosis, it is very important that you visit your doctor for proper diagnosis to be done. Based on the outcome, he or she may recommend any of the above treatment options including soft scoliosis bracing to treat your condition effectively.
Pivonka Family Chiropractic
1355 S Higley Rd #102
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 892-0022
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