There are both non-surgical and surgical forms of scoliosis treatment and non-surgical is the most common. The infographic below shows Neuroscience Group doctors’ path to determine the intensity of scoliosis treatment. Only significant curves, greater than 45 degrees, are considered for surgical treatment. Meanwhile, many smaller curves are treated through nonsurgical options and monitoring.
Non-Surgical Correction of Scoliosis
Non-Surgical forms of scoliosis correction treatment types allow the patient to continue to live a normal, active lifestyle without the disruption of invasive surgeries. Scoliosis treatments without surgery range from simple observation of the curve’s progression to physical activities and supplements. Let’s review some of the most common scoliosis treatment types:
- Observation: The most conservative form of scoliosis treatment is observation. Your doctor will make a plan for how often they need to see you for follow-up appointments and x-rays. The frequency of visits will depend on your stage of growth. X-rays will most likely be done every visit.
- Bracing: Wearing a scoliosis brace is a very common form of treatment in patients where bone growth is still a potential. The brace is an effort to try to prevent the curve from getting bigger. It is important to know that bracing is only beneficial when it is worn as prescribed, the more hours the brace is worn the better chance for positive effectiveness. A scoliosis brace needs to be worn until the patient is done growing.
- Physical Therapy: In addition to bracing, physical therapy and specific exercises can be used to treat scoliosis. Physical therapy for scoliosis is not proven to change the progression of your curve, it does help maintain good posture, core strength, and improve flexibility. The physical therapy department at Neuroscience Group is highly trained in spine-specific therapies.
- Chiropractic care: Finding a chiropractor who specializes in scoliosis-focused adjustments can be beneficial in reducing pain and strengthening the core.
- Yoga: Practicing yoga can be beneficial to help reduce pain and strengthen spine muscles. Although it will not fix scoliosis, it is effective in making patients with scoliosis more comfortable.
- Acupuncture: Increased pain around the spine is a very common side effect of scoliosis. Acupuncture can help reduce pain and restore normal movements.
- Supplements: Taking supplements can help support bone growth and prevent deficiencies that heighten symptoms. The following supplements are often suggested to help with scoliosis treatment:
- Vitamin D
- B12
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Surgical Correction of Scoliosis
Surgical treatment for scoliosis is only considered when a significant curve greater than 45 degrees is present. Other factors that decide if surgery is the right treatment option are the location of the curve, if bracing was unsuccessful, and age of the patient.
The most common surgical scoliosis treatment is a spinal fusion. During a spinal fusion surgery, the curve is corrected while maintaining safety. Screws, rods, and occasionally implants are placed to help correct the curve. Artificial bone graft and bone that is removed during surgery is placed over the rods and screws. Over time the graft fuses to the existing vertebrae to form a solid bone. The entire fusion process takes between 6-12 months. This type of surgery allows patients to return to their favorite activities after recovery with very little, if any, limitations to daily functions.
Other surgical scoliosis treatments include expanding rod or vertebral body tethering. However, these aren’t as commonly practiced as spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis
Manage Scoliosis at Neuroscience Group
Proactive treatment of scoliosis is critical to reduce long-term effects of the condition. With both non-surgical and surgical approaches to treating scoliosis, the expert physicians at Neuroscience Group are highly trained in Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment in both pediatric and adult spinal deformities. Their Scoliosis program, Ahead of the Curve, is a conservative approach to Scoliosis treatment with long-term management, evaluation, and bracing. At Neuroscience Group, surgery is considered as a last resort. The clinic has robust preoperative education, pain management specialists, spine-certified physical therapists, advanced practice clinicians with 20+ years of spine experience, and fellowship-trained surgeons to help you effectively manage Scoliosis. Contact us today to get started.
For a more in-depth review of Scoliosis, diagnosis and treatment options download our Scoliosis Treatment Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the treatment options for scoliosis?
Treatment falls into non-surgical and surgical categories, with non-surgical being the most common. Only significant curves greater than 45 degrees are typically considered for surgical treatment, while many smaller curves are managed through non-surgical options and monitoring.
What is bracing for scoliosis, and how effective is it?
Bracing is a common treatment for patients whose bones are still growing, aimed at preventing the curve from getting bigger. It’s only beneficial when worn as prescribed, with more hours of wear improving effectiveness, and needs to be worn until the patient is done growing.
Does physical therapy fix scoliosis?
Physical therapy is not proven to change the progression of the curve, but it helps maintain good posture, core strength, and improve flexibility.
What other non-surgical treatments can help with scoliosis?
Options include chiropractic care focused on scoliosis-specific adjustments, yoga to reduce pain and strengthen spine muscles (though it doesn’t fix the curve), acupuncture to help with pain, and supplements like vitamin D, B12, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium to support bone growth.
When is surgery considered for scoliosis?
Surgery is generally only considered when a significant curve greater than 45 degrees is present. Other factors include the location of the curve, whether bracing was unsuccessful, and the patient’s age.
What does scoliosis surgery typically involve?
The most common surgical treatment is spinal fusion, where screws, rods, and sometimes implants correct the curve, and bone graft is placed to fuse to the existing vertebrae over time. The full fusion process takes between 6 and 12 months, after which patients can typically return to their favorite activities with little to no limitation.
How is the intensity of scoliosis treatment determined?
The approach depends on the severity of the curve, with observation and non-surgical options used for smaller curves, and surgery reserved for significant curves greater than 45 degrees, factoring in curve location, bracing success, and patient age.