How is scoliosis treated?

Treatment for scoliosis isn’t necessary for all cases.

If your provider recommends treatment, they’ll consider several factors:

The type of scoliosis.

The degree of the curve.

Your family history of scoliosis.

Your age.

The number of remaining growth years until skeletal maturity.

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and not necessarily straightening the curve. The goal is to decrease symptoms and curve progression and improve the function of your spine.

There are two types of treatment for scoliosis:

Nonsurgical (conservative) treatment.

Surgery.

Most cases of scoliosis don’t require surgery. Instead, providers recommend conservative treatment first, which may include:

Visiting a healthcare provider regularly (usually every six months) to monitor the degree of the curve.

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories (as needed or as directed by your provider).

Exercising to strengthen your core muscles and improve flexibility.

Wearing a back brace to support your spine.

Managing any underlying conditions.

Your provider may recommend physical therapy. This can help you strengthen your muscles and relieve pain. Your physical therapist may help you with the following:

Improving your posture.

Low-impact exercises, such as swimming.

Daily stretching.

Physical activity guidance.

Surgery may be an option to treat some types of scoliosis that don’t respond to conservative treatment. Your provider may recommend surgery to:

Stabilize your spine.

Restore balance.

Relieve pressure on nerves.

There are different techniques your surgeon may use to treat scoliosis, including:

Spinal fusion: To stabilize your spine, your surgeon will fuse the bones of your spine together. Then, they’ll use metal braces to hold your spine in place.

Expandable rod: A surgeon will insert an expandable rod along the vertebrae to support a child’s growing spine. They’ll adjust the length of the rod as a child grows.

Advances in surgical techniques and computer-assisted technologies make less invasive approaches possible and recovery time quicker.

Are there complications of scoliosis surgery?

Scoliosis surgery is a safe procedure, but complications are possible and may include: