How to treat scoliosis?

The spine is a relatively long bone tissue in the human body, composed of dozens of individual vertebrae. Therefore, the spine is relatively mobile and can perform movements such as bending and straightening. In modern life, people's spines are under tremendous pressure, and many people have symptoms of scoliosis, which has caused great damage to people's image. Let's take a look at how to treat scoliosis.

Treatment for scoliosis can be divided into two major categories, namely non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment.

Common non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, gymnastics, plaster, braces, etc., but the most important and reliable method is brace therapy.

Generally, idiopathic scoliosis within 20 degrees can be left untreated and closely observed. If it worsens by more than 5 degrees each year, brace treatment should be performed. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of 30 to 40 degrees at the first visit should be treated with bracing immediately, because more than 60% of this group of patients will develop worsening curvature. Surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should be considered in the following situations:

(1) Those with thoracic curvature greater than 40 degrees and thoracolumbar curvature/lumbar curvature greater than 35 degrees;

(2) Patients whose scoliosis cannot be controlled by brace treatment and progresses rapidly;

(3) Those with obvious back pain or symptoms of nerve compression.

For patients with congenital scoliosis, if the scoliosis is of the type that is prone to progression or if the scoliosis progresses significantly during the observation period, surgical treatment should be performed as early as possible. Generally, 3 to 5 years old is a good time for surgery.

Because the causes of scoliosis are complex and there are many types, whether surgery is needed is not simply based on the patient's age or degree of scoliosis. Factors such as the type, characteristics, segment, progression rate of the deformity, the patient's bone age development, and the degree of impact of the deformity on the patient's body shape should also be considered. It is a consensus that progressive congenital scoliosis should be treated with surgery early, because with age, not only does the deformity worsen, but it also becomes stiff and difficult to correct. However, if idiopathic scoliosis undergoes posterior correction and fusion too early in childhood, it may affect the growth and development of the spine, and the deformity is likely to worsen in the long term.

Additionally, factors such as spinal balance and the effects of surgery on spinal growth and mobility must be considered. Therefore, each patient with scoliosis should be specifically analyzed and individualized treatment measures should be taken.