Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures
Scoliosis
Treatment
Treatment is by bracing only during the growth years. As an adult, a stable and balanced curve presents no functional impairment and does not require any restriction in activity. Back pain is not due to the curve but can be due to any other cause like all people without a scoliosis. Scoliosis does not affect women giving birth or affect the ability to carry a pregnancy. Pregnancy with its hormonal changes and increase in ligament laxity often leads to back pain by itself and the scoliosis is sometimes inappropriately blamed.
Your doctor will examine you and be sure your scoliosis is not associated with any other medical condition, so called idiopathic scoliosis. Occassional scoliosis curves are congenital and may have other associated features. Be sure to tell your surgeon any problems you may have with your heart, kidneys or any hearing ailments.
Surgery for scoliosis is reserved for unbalanced or worsening curves. Surgery can also be performed for cosmetic reasons where the rotation of the curve creates a large rib hump. Your surgeon will ensure there is not a progressive curve and there are no associated spinal or neurological problems. If cosmetics is the concern, a thorough understanding of the outcomes and risks and benefits from surgery will be discussed with you.
