Scoliosis, a common condition characterized by the sideways curvature of the spine, affects more than 1 in every 100 adolescents. While it’s prevalent in this age group, younger children and adults can also experience this condition. So, what happens when someone gets diagnosed with scoliosis and how is it treated? Let’s delve into it.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis results in the spine twisting and curving to the side rather than running straight down the center of the back. A clear illustration can be seen 
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Symptoms of this condition can range from abnormal posture, gait disturbances, difficulty sitting or breathing, and even slowed physical responsiveness. More detailed insights about this condition can be found here.
How Is It Treated?
Whenever possible, adults with scoliosis are recommended non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and even steroid injections. Bracing is also employed, especially to halt the progression of moderate curves. However, when the curve surpasses 50 degrees or when other complications arise, surgical intervention may become necessary. For a comprehensive understanding of adult scoliosis and its treatments, check out this source.
Degenerative scoliosis, a specific type found in adults, may require a spinal fusion, spinal decompression surgery, or both. A deeper exploration on this can be found here.
What Are The Risks?
While scoliosis surgery offers numerous benefits, such as significant spine curvature correction, improved posture, and aesthetic enhancements, it’s not without risks. Rare complications can include infection, spinal cord abnormalities, or injury. Notably, for uncomplicated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the reported risk of nerve injury post-surgery is between 0.7% and 1%. For adult patients, this rate rises to between 1% and 5%. Fortunately, intraoperative spinal cord monitoring can help detect early changes in cord function during surgery. More about this can be gleaned here.
Recovery After Surgery
Post-surgery, patients generally undergo a four-day hospital stay. Most children can return to school within three to four weeks, while young athletes can get back to competitive sports in about four to six months. This article offers more detailed insights into recovery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
To conclude, while scoliosis presents its challenges, ongoing research, such as the study by a Stanford surgeon, aims to enhance treatment approaches and outcomes, ensuring a brighter future for those affected.
