My Child Has Scoliosis. Now What?

Most cases of scoliosis are diagnosed during adolescence. Early diagnosis and intervention allow doctors to correct the issue as much as possible before the spine finishes developing into its abnormal shape. Treatment can involve bracing, surgery, and physiotherapy. 

Here at Advantage Spinal Dynamics & Innovative Medicine in Meridian, Idaho, we provide support and physiotherapy for scoliosis patients.

Scoliosis 101

Put simply, scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. The human spine is meant to bend in two places, the small of your back and the top of your shoulder. 

In cases of scoliosis, the spine can bend in a C or S shape. The natural curvature helps hold your vertebrae in place and provides stability. Deviations can cause a variety of issues, including: 

• Uneven shoulders 
• One side of the ribcage is more prominent than the other
• One side of the back is more prominent than the other
• One hip is higher than the other 

Signs of scoliosis often reveal themselves during a physical examination. During the exam, the doctor may ask your child to bend over while they check for abnormalities. If something seems amiss, they might use additional diagnostics like X-rays to confirm the issue. 

Treating scoliosis 

The exact cause of scoliosis isn’t entirely understood. About 80% of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, meaning they have no known causes. 

While the condition has been linked to hereditary factors, scoliosis is often present at birth or develops in the early years of a child’s adolescence, about ages 10-12. That’s why you should have your child’s spine checked during wellness visits. 

If diagnosed early enough, the abnormal curvature can be corrected to help your child avoid future health issues like back pain and trouble breathing. 

Treatment depends largely on the severity of the scoliosis. If the curve is severe enough, steps might be taken to straighten the spine as much as possible. Braces don’t correct the issue, but they can keep it from getting worse. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary. 

However, most children with scoliosis don’t experience disability due to their conditions and simply need monitoring as they develop. 

If your child has mild scoliosis, there’s a good chance they’ll grow out of it. In these cases, however, proper supervision is necessary to prevent the curvature from worsening.At Advantage Spinal Dynamics, our team of specialists can help you and your child manage scoliosis through physiotherapy. To learn more, get in touch by calling 208-213-7963, or request an appointment online.