One of the most common spinal diseases that children suffer from is scoliosis. It is a deformity of the spine that generally occurs among children. But teenagers can also get affected by this deformity. Unfortunately, over 4 million children in the USA are affected by this deformity. If not treated in time, scoliosis can cause permanent musculoskeletal deformity in adolescents and children. Hence, it is best to get a child checked by a spine specialist in OKC if the parents notice any spinal problems.
However, a guide on the types of treatment available for scoliosis will help many people make an informed decision. Below are a few treatment options that are available for scoliosis:
Back brace:
Depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease, the spine specialist may recommend wearing a back brace. If the curves in the spine range between 20 degrees and 40 degrees, chances are that a back brace can help fix the issue for the patient.
However, the back brace is not for reversing the curve. The idea of using a back brace is to stop the curve from deteriorating. Ideally, the doctor may ask the patient to wear the back brace for around 20 hours a day. While some back braces are made of plastic, which makes them rigid, some back braces are made of elastic, which allows movement. Back braces will not let the spine curve even more, but at the same time, it will not hamper the normal movement of the patient.
Physiotherapy:
Another nonsurgical method that can improve the posture of a scoliosis patient is physiotherapy. Physiotherapy helps improve agility while improving the strength of the patient. Initially, physiotherapy can induce pain, but it subsides with regular practice. The back pain doctor may advise over-the-counter painkillers to help with the pain.
Surgery:
Sometimes there is no other treatment other than getting surgery done. If the patient’s spinal curve is over 45 degrees, a nonsurgical method will not improve the deformity. The spine specialist might propose getting a spinal fusion surgery. It is safe to say that the small bones in the spine are welded together so that when the bones heal, they form a straight single bone. Since the growth of the bones stops after the surgery, the curves get fixed. Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management can help patients with scoliosis in getting the treatment they need. It is always better to see a doctor who has experience in treating patients with scoliosis.
**Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.
