Cures for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine has an abnormal curvature. It is typically diagnosed in childhood, although it sometimes shows up in adulthood. This usually happens when it was not diagnosed or treated in the patient's youth. Scoliosis affects girls more often than boys, and it tends to run in families. The exact cause is unknown, but there are several treatment options.

Monitoring

• The majority of children with scoliosis only have mild curvature and don't need treatment. They simply need to be monitored to make sure their condition doesn't get any worse. Checkups are typically done every four to six months while a child is growing. As long as the curvature remains at less than 20 degrees, the child won't have to be treated.

Milwaukee Brace

• Braces are a common treatment for children with scoliosis who have a curve in their spine between 25 and 40 degrees. Braces don't actually cure scoliosis. Their purpose is to keep the present curvature from getting any worse. One type of brace, called the Milwaukee Brace, fits over the entire torso, with a neck ring that has rests for the back of the head and chin. According to the Mayo Clinic, Milwaukee Braces were once used for all types of curvature caused by scoliosis but they are rarely used anymore. Their only current use is for upper spine curves.

Low Profile Brace

• The most commonly used brace for treating scoliosis is the low-profile brace, also referred to as the underarm brace or the thoracolumbosacral orthosis. The Mayo Clinic says it is made out of plastic and has contures that confirm to the patient's body. It goes under the arms and around the rib cage, lower back and hips. It is almost invisible when worn under the patient's clothes because it fits the body so closely.

Surgery

• Children with a curve of greater than 40 to 50 degrees will most likely need surgery to treat their scoliosis. Like braces, surgery is not a cure but it keeps the condition from worsening. According to the Mayo Clinic, the usual method is to fuse the patient's vertebrae along the curve. This is done by connecting at least two vertebrae with new bone, using implanted screws, wires, metal rods or hooks that keep the vertebrae together as they heal. Over time they will fuse together so the curve will not worsen. The implants are left in place, as they provide extra support to the treated area. They may also put force on the spine that helps to cure some of the curvature over time.

Other Cures

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that other treatment for scoliosis include chiropractic manipulation, nutritional supplements and electrical stimulation. However, none of these have been proven to cure scoliosis or stop its progression. Exercise is another treatment that has no direct effect on scoliosis. However, the NIH recommends exercise for helping patients maintain good overall health and a sense of well-being.