Family Physician: A Friend to Depend On

Posted on: 12 October 2015

Your pediatrician has noted that your child has a slight curvature of their spine. An examination by doctors in the spine medicine department confirms a diagnosis of scoliosis. This can be shocking news to parents, but if treatment is started early, the prognosis of your child developing a straight spine is good. Here is what you need to know about the treatment of this skeletal condition and why it's important to start treatment early.

Early Treatment Takes Advantage of Rapid Bone Growth

Bone tissue is being created at a fast rate in infants. Their entire skeleton is growing to meet the demands of the rest of the rapidly growing body. Parents notice this by how fast an infant grows out of their clothes. This rate of bone growth continues until puberty when a sudden growth spurt may occur, followed by a slowing down of growth as a person enters their adult years.

A child with scoliosis develops wedge-shaped vertebrae, which cause the spine to develop a characteristic side-to-side "S"-curve. As your child continues through the rapid bone growth phase, the wedge-shaped vertebrae become more pronounced, and the "S"-curve worsens. Some children exhibit a small curve that gets no worse. Other children develop a severe curve that puts pressure on the lungs and other internal organs. This causes respiratory problems and other health issues well into the adult years.

By helping your child's spine grow straight during these developing years, they can have a straighter spine and no negative health side effects. For most children, early use of non-invasive treatments encourages the spine to grow straight.

Braces Used in Scoliosis Treatment

Braces are external devices worn by the child that encourage the spine to develop straight. They are most effective when the child is very young, the curve is slight, and the brace is worn constantly. There are two major types of braces used, the choice of which depends on where the curve exists in the spine.

Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis Brace

Also known as the Boston brace, this brace extends from under the child's arms to their pelvis. This is usually custom-designed for your child by creating a plastic mold that fits close to the body. The mold puts pressure against the "S"-curve so the spine will developer straighter. This brace is used for scoliosis in the middle and lower back regions.

Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis Brace

When curves occur in the upper spine, this brace, known as the Milwaukee brace, is used. It extends up to just under the neck to hold the upper body in alignment while the spine grows.

For these braces to be effective, they must be worn all day, except when bathing. The braces will be worn well into adolescence and perhaps longer, to maintain the shape and stability of the spine.

For professional help, contact a doctor such as Charles J Nivens MD PA.