Can Scoliosis Be Treated Without Surgery?

It is a common misconception that scoliosis must be treated with surgery. While surgery is often the recommended treatment option, it is not always necessary. In this blog post, we will explore some of the alternative treatments available for scoliosis. We will also discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option, so that you can make an informed decision about how to best treat your or your child’s scoliosis.

Understanding Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways. It can occur in children or adults, but it is most common during adolescence. While scoliosis can be mild and cause no pain or other symptoms, severe scoliosis can lead to pain, difficulty breathing, and deformity.

There are two main types of scoliosis:

Idiopathic scoliosis, which has no known cause, is the most common type of scoliosis. It typically affects children between the ages of 10 and 15.

Congenital scoliosis, which is caused by a problem with the development of the spine, is less common. It typically affects newborns and infants.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

The most common symptom of scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. The spine may look straight when viewed from the front or back, but it will appear curved when viewed from the side. Other symptoms of scoliosis may include:

• Uneven shoulders: one shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other
• Unlevel waist: the hips may be at different levels, or one hip may appear higher than the other
• One shoulder blade that sticks out more than the other
• Clothes that don’t fit well or feel tight in certain areas
• A rib hump: the ribs may protrude more on one side than the other
• Uneven legs: one leg may look shorter than the other, or the knees may be at different levels
• As scoliosis progresses, the spine will continue to curve. This can cause pain, difficulty breathing, and deformity.

Complications of Scoliosis

Scoliosis can lead to a number of complications, including:

• Back pain: as the spine curves, it can put pressure on the nerves and muscles in the back, causing pain.
• Difficulty breathing: severe cases can compress the lungs and make it difficult to breathe. This is more likely to occur in adults.
• Deformity: severe cases can cause the spine to twist and deform. This can make it difficult to stand or walk.

Diagnosis

The doctor will initially take a detailed medical history and may ask questions about recent growth. During the physical exam, your doctor may have you stand and then bend forward from the waist, with arms hanging loosely, to see if one side of the rib cage is more prominent than the other.

Mayo Clinic explains that your doctor may also perform a neurological exam to check for:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Abnormal reflexes

Plain X-rays can confirm the diagnosis and reveal the severity of the spinal curvature.

Treatment Options

Mild scoliosis without a specific cause is usually managed over time. If there is a specific cause like a leg length issue, we may be able to restore your spine to its original straightness. We can manage symptoms with conservative options like:

• Spinal adjustment through proper stretching, traction treatments, and chiropractic adjustment
• Muscle relaxation with massage and electrostimulation
• Lifestyle changes to encourage back strength so your spine is properly supported

When is Surgery Needed?

Most scoliosis surgeons agree that children who have very severe curves (45 to 50 degrees and higher) will need surgery to lessen the curve and prevent it from getting worse. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explain that the operation for scoliosis is a spinal fusion. The basic idea is to realign and fuse together the curved vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. With the tools and technology available today, scoliosis surgeons are able to improve curves significantly.

Your Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

When you arrive for your first visit, Dr. Bart Atencio or a member of the Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center team will spend time with you collecting your patient history. This information will help your Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center Team know how significant your spine problem is and how best to help you. As you get started with a treatment plan for your condition, we will most likely give you some at home tips to be aware of. The Team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center has a lot of experience with spinal health treatments, but we will also need your participation in your care for the best results.

Make an Appointment

If you or someone you know has scoliosis, don’t wait to get it checked out. The sooner we catch it, the more options we have for treatment. Schedule an appointment at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center today!