Scoliosis is a fairly common condition of the spine that is usually found in childhood. Roughly three million cases of scoliosis are diagnosed each year, and many of them appear around the ages of 10 to 12.
Scoliosis is usually mild to moderate, but there can be severe cases that cause disability and immobility. Fortunately, medical science has come a long way over the past decades, and treatment for scoliosis has become more effective.
Here’s what parents need to know about childhood scoliosis and scoliosis treatment.
It’s Important to Get Diagnosed Early
The best chance to treat scoliosis is to diagnose it early. If you can identify the condition before your child hits a major growth spurt, you can begin corrective procedures that can mitigate the spinal curvature as much as possible.
Your children should attend regular checkups. If they exhibit any symptoms of scoliosis, such as uneven shoulders and hips, one shoulder blade being more prominent than the other, or an uneven waist, seeing the doctor becomes even more important.
Scoliosis Can Be Hereditary
Did you know that scoliosis can run in the family? Many people aren’t aware of the often hereditary nature of scoliosis. If someone in your family has had it, chances are your children are vulnerable to it as well.
A lot of times, parents don’t expect scoliosis because they think no one in their family had it. But there’s a good chance that it was a mild case or went undiagnosed.
Treatment Is Available
Only about a third of all cases require treatment, and only a tenth of cases require surgery to correct the curvature, and this is in cases of deformity or immobility.
In those cases that require intervention, bracing is usually the go-to method. Orthotic braces specifically designed to correct curvature can be created custom to your child’s body. They’ll need regular adjustment as the child grows, especially from the age of 10 to adolescence, which means you’ll need to develop a relationship with a good orthotist who understands your child’s needs.
If your child does require surgery, good news: surgeries often are successful and have good outcomes! The usual procedure is a fusion of the spine to correct the curvature, and recovery time is typically one to two months.
Scoliosis can sound scary, but it’s very manageable, and with the right help, your child can experience a full and healthy life.
BioTech designs and creates custom orthotic braces for scoliosis patients and children with other conditions. Contact us if you have questions or want to pursue treatment for your child.