Idiopathic scoliosis deformity, these situations require surgery

Idiopathic scoliosis is a common phenomenon among adolescents, especially adolescent girls. Idiopathic scoliosis deformity requires timely surgical treatment. Generally, the earlier the treatment, the better the effect. Parents should also do a good job of preventing this disease in their children.

1. When should I undergo surgery for scoliosis?

At present, for the treatment of scoliosis, it is generally recommended that the earlier the treatment, the better the effect. Experts remind that clinically it is generally recommended that scoliosis less than 20 degrees can be observed; 20-35 degrees need to consider brace treatment until the child's bones are mature, which is generally 17 or 18 years old for boys and 15 or 16 years old for girls; if the scoliosis of 35 is accompanied by trunk imbalance, unequal shoulders, kyphosis or flat back with rapid progression, surgery should be considered; scoliosis greater than 40 requires surgical treatment as soon as possible.

Many families are worried about the cost or risks of surgery and will resort to conservative treatment. Currently, the only formal conservative treatment is wearing a brace, which the child needs to wear for 23 hours, but it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of pressure sores. In addition, if the effect is not good or even worsens, the brace treatment must be stopped and surgery considered. Experts remind everyone not to believe in massage or folk remedies to treat scoliosis!

If the angle is over 40 degrees, surgical intervention is required. Doctors generally recommend surgical treatment during the second growth peak of the spine after the age of 10. For children with severe deformities between the ages of 5 and 10, growth rods can be used to lengthen the spine to control deformities, and ultimate correction and fusion fixation can be performed after the age of 10.

2. The proportion of adolescents suffering from scoliosis is increasing

Don’t think that scoliosis only affects appearance. Severe spinal deformity can affect the development of the heart and lungs. According to experts, severe spinal deformity can lead to respiratory failure, and can also affect lung and nerve function. The most regrettable thing is that the average life expectancy of many patients is shorter than that of normal people. Many patients suffer from back pain, decreased ability to work, and even cannot work, get married or have children.

3. Early detection of scoliosis in children can avoid surgery

Not all scoliosis will develop to the point where it requires surgical treatment. Statistics show that surgery can be completely avoided as long as it is discovered and intervened early. Experts say that parents can do self-tests on their children at home. When the children are taking a bath, check to see if their children have uneven necklines, one shoulder higher than the other; whether girls have asymmetrical breast development, with the left breast larger; or one side of the back is bulging, with wrinkles on one side of the waist; one hip is higher than the other; or the lower limbs are of unequal length.

If you are not sure, you can also touch the spinous processes of the spine with your hands to see if they are in a straight line, or ask your child to stand up straight and bend forward to see if the back is symmetrical. If there is any abnormality, you need to go to the hospital for examination!