Hannah is a 14-year-old girl that plays many sports. In the early spring, Hannah started experiencing mild back pain, which impacted her sleep quality.

Hannah’s pediatrician noticed a slight abnormal sideways curve in her back at the center of the spine. This curve is a common condition in people referred to as scoliosis. The doctor requested a follow-up appointment in six months to see the progression of her scoliosis.

Hannah was concerned about how she would play sports after her scoliosis diagnosis. She wondered if her scoliosis would flare up and cause her to sit out during her lacrosse game.

As Hannah’s body develops, the degree of the spinal curvature increases, making her shoulders uneven and putting more pressure on her body. Her pediatrician recommended a local scoliosis specialist to discuss brace therapy for children, and they fit her with a WCR brace. Hannah is currently receiving Schroth therapy at least once a week. The doctors are confident that these therapies will stop the progression of her scoliosis and improve her spinal curvature.

What Should I Do After My Child is Diagnosed with Scoliosis?

With adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, there could already be a progression in the condition. In Hannah’s case, waiting six months could make her condition harder to treat.

It’s important to find a scoliosis specialist and begin treatment immediately. Get a referral from your child’s primary physician and schedule an appointment with a local scoliosis therapist. Your child will be under proper guidance and care to treat scoliosis.

Your child’s scoliosis may be mild and should not interfere with their daily life. However, getting a proper diagnosis ensures your child is on top of scoliosis treatment. The last thing you want is time to go by before fixing the problem.

Educate Yourself on Scoliosis

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a condition that causes an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is most common in children or adolescents. Scoliosis can occur in individuals with other conditions, such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. However, the cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is unknown.

Child with scoliosis being checked on by doctor

An individual’s scoliosis can be mild, but the spinal curvature progresses as they grow. A severe case of scoliosis can be disabling. It makes it hard to have a good range of motion and can compress a person’s chest, which makes it difficult for their lungs to function.

Can You Cure Scoliosis?

Unfortunately, you cannot cure scoliosis. We want to prevent its progression and correct the curvature of the spine as early as possible.

Once your child fully develops, it becomes harder to correct scoliosis. Both invasive and non-invasive scoliosis treatment methods will help individuals manage their scoliosis. Specialists may discuss surgery instead of non-invasive scoliosis treatment methods like scoliosis bracing therapy. The goal of brace therapy for children is to allow the patient to live normally without pain, discomfort, or back deformity.

Consider All Treatment Options For Your Child

Innovative Scoliosis Bracing Therapy

Scoliosis bracing therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps manage scoliosis symptoms. There are many bracing therapies, such as Rigo-Cheneau brace therapy and WCR brace therapy. While scoliosis bracing therapy cannot cure scoliosis, it can slow or halt its progression. It helps reduce the symptoms and makes it easier for patients to complete their daily routines. 

Brace therapy is effective if the curvature is moderate and doctors treat the diagnosis before the bones develop. We want to prevent the spinal curvature from worsening as the patient grows and their body develops. Brace therapy keeps the spine straight to prevent the vertebrae from twisting to one side of the back.

According to a 2013 BrAIST study from Dr. Stuart Weinstein about scoliosis bracing therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the average success rate of the treatment is 85.4%. As of 2019, the Scoliosis Research Society confirmed bracing is the most successful treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Scoliosis bracing therapy does not hurt your child. Patients get used to wearing the brace, and most people do not think about it as much. There might be some discomfort if the skin becomes irritated from wearing the brace. However, there should be no problem if your child follows the doctor’s instructions.

Bracing therapy can be expensive, depending on the design of the brace. The average cost of traditional scoliosis bracing is between $5,000 and $10,000.

Schroth Therapy

Schroth therapy is a non-invasive scoliosis treatment method that uses exercises to rotate, elongate, and stabilize the spine in a three-dimensional plane. The tailored activities gradually return the curve to a normal position through breathing techniques, muscle synergy, stretching, posture, and education.

The Schroth method for scoliosis treatment is beneficial for children and adolescents with scoliosis. Patients can use this method for both mild and severe spinal curvatures. Your child’s doctor will evaluate the severity of their scoliosis and develop a customized plan.

Is Scoliosis Surgery Right for My Child?

Doctors may recommend surgery in severe cases, such as congenital and neuromuscular scoliosis. However, in cases like mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, there are non-invasive treatment methods available.

Doctors may perform surgery as a quick fix if it helps the patient. For example, doctors may choose surgery for a freshman who wants to return to their sports program as soon as possible. In most cases, scoliosis surgery only fixes the lateral curve but not the rotational curve.

One scoliosis surgery can lead to another and does not always correct the problem. A 2019 case study in The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states that physiotherapy with scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSEs) is as effective as surgery. The challenge is to educate the quick-fix mentality with non-invasive approaches.

According to the ISASS, the average cost of scoliosis surgery was $140,286 from 2006 to 2009. With healthcare expenses increasing, one can only speculate how much surgery costs now.

Support your Child Through Mental Struggles from Scoliosis

Girls and boys with scoliosis have physical and emotional challenges. For example, the child may be reluctant to take their shirt off at a pool party because they do not want their friends to see a shoulder deformity.

Parents and teachers need to be sensitive to the child’s emotional needs as they go through this challenge. If your child is having difficulties, explaining the long-term benefits of brace therapy and acknowledging their concerns and fears is important. You might be surprised how much a short chat helps if you strive to listen and understand how they feel. 

Learn How to Live with Scoliosis

Can you play sports with Scoliosis?

Your child can continue to take part in sports programs with scoliosis. However, it is important to avoid activities that could worsen the condition. For example, your child’s doctor might recommend avoiding torso extensions, repeated extensions of the spine, high jumps, and certain dance and yoga positions. These activities can cause the vertebrae to rotate further into the curve.

Child playing soccer outside

The best sports to play with scoliosis include:

  • swimming
  • cycling
  • soccer
  • strength training
  • cross-country skiing
  • badminton
  • table sports
  • hiking

How often do we need to visit the doctor?

It depends on the severity of the curve and the doctor’s advice. If the doctor worries that the spinal curve is increasing, they may want to examine your child every four to six months. It is important to speak with the doctor to determine the best schedule for your child.

Next Steps at Scoliosis Therapy Centers

Having a child diagnosed with scoliosis can be challenging for both parents and the child. It is in the best interest of your child to book an appointment with a scoliosis specialist right away. The doctor can advise if your child requires treatment and how you can support your child with their scoliosis diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to treat scoliosis before your child fully develops. Otherwise, treatment options become limited and more challenging.
While your child cannot get rid of their scoliosis, they can live a better and more comfortable life if they receive treatment at the right time. Contact us today and schedule a visit with one of our specialists to discuss non-invasive scoliosis treatment for your child today. We will discuss with you the options and find an effective treatment for your child. You can find an expert near you to help your child through this journey and live to their full potential.

Many studies discuss the effectiveness of scoliosis therapies for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, few of these studies help parents understand how to help their child with a scoliosis diagnosis. Years of medical research and highly credible data exist about AIS, but what does it all mean for a parent looking to help their child with scoliosis therapy?

Below, we share the main points from a study to give parents a simple understanding of what happens when their child has scoliosis. This white paper was published on May 15, 2021, with updated information that parents can find helpful.

The study mentioned throughout this article is “The Effectiveness of Different Concepts of Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” from the Journal of Clinical Medicine. 

Important Studies for Scoliosis Bracing Therapy 

Before exploring the study and findings of AIS, let us define the important terms you will see in the white paper. Most of these words relate to the spinal skeletal maturity of the pelvic area. Readers should know that the spine rests directly on the sacrum bone, which the pelvis supports.

The Risser Staging System: 

Dr. Joseph C. Risser (1892 – 1982) was monumental in treating scoliosis. Risser recognized that the abnormal bone formation and tendon inflammation of the pelvic area (ossification of the iliac apophysis) closely relates to the patient’s spinal skeletal maturity. From 1958, clinicians referred to the gradual maturity of the pelvic bone structure as the Risser sign. The Risser Staging System in the United States measures four stages, while the Risser Staging System in France measures five. These measurements play an essential role in how doctors treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The white papers refer to these measurements in different sample sizes.

Doctor talking to kid with Scoliosis

The Tanner Staging System: 

Dr. James Tanner was a British pediatrician. In 1969, he established a staging system for girls as they progressed through puberty. We can also refer to this staging system as Sexual Maturity Rating or SMR. The Tanner grade has five stages and shows various stages of development in boys and girls. It can make a difference in how doctors and therapists treat AIS.

Ossification: 

Ossification is an abnormal bone formation where soft tissues become calcified and hardened. Calcified means a soft area near the bone becomes hard.

Iliac Apophysis: 

This term refers to an inflammation around the tendon areas near the front of the pelvis. Here, it refers to inflammation of the tendons in the front pelvic area. The inflammation could be from injury or irregular growth of the child.

Why Doctors Conduct Research on Scoliosis Bracing Therapy 

Any parent whose child has scoliosis understands the challenging lifestyle their child faces. Besides the pain and treatment from the progression of scoliosis, there are potential negative social elements too. Scoliosis impacts teenage boys and girls. It can impact their social life negatively, affecting friendships and meaningful relationships. Patients may find it hard to fit into proper clothing because of their uneven shoulders and may cover up during the hot summer.

Since the Lyons Brace in 1948, doctors and therapists have been trying to develop a non-invasive approach to treating scoliosis. Now, scoliosis specialists use several non-invasive ways to treat and correct adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, such as Schroth therapy and scoliosis bracing therapy. The question remains whether wearing a brace full-time is effective for adolescents.

Although doctors like Dr. Jacques Chêneau and Dr. Emanuel Rigo have created comfortable braces, scoliosis treatment can still be challenging as patients must wear most braces all day. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the University Medical Center Utrecht created a research team to investigate the effectiveness of scoliosis bracing therapy. The findings would justify brace therapy as a treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

How Experts Conducted the Study

The research team used a variety of scoliosis braces to give credibility to the study. Orthotists wanted a full and fair picture of different braces and weren’t biased toward any one. The SpineCor brace was soft and worn full-time, and patients wore the Charleston and Providence braces at night only. 

Scoliosis patient being checked out by a doctor

The study included 23 to 843 patients, and each study had multiple braces. Every patient received a specific brace, and the researchers entrusted them to wear their respective brace throughout the treatment period.

Orthotists looked at the progression of spinal curvatures of each patient after using scoliosis bracing therapy. In the study, orthotists measured success as a curve progression of 5 degrees or lower during the follow-up appointment after receiving brace therapy. For example, a patient with a 20-degree spinal curvature before and no greater than a 25-degree curvature after treatment would be considered successful. The ideal treatment plan for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis results in a normal Cobb angle of 10 degrees or lower. 

The Results of the Study

The results showed overwhelming success for the benefits of scoliosis bracing therapy. 

Three studies used the Boston brace, with 169 patients receiving treatment with this device. The Boston brace had an average success rate of 67%.

In another four studies, patients used the Rigo-Cheneau brace, and researchers saw a success rate of 80%. The Rigo-Chêneau brace was very successful in treating lumbar curves. The Progressive Action Short Brace (PASB) had a success rate of 65.6% to 100% for 69 and 163 patients in two different studies. The Lyon brace reported a success rate of 99% for 69 patients.

Based on these successes, scoliosis bracing therapy is effective for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. While you cannot completely cure scoliosis, wearing a brace from a young age can help adolescents avoid surgery.

Scoliosis therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can help your child improve their quality of life and avoid the physical challenges of scoliosis progression. The study proves that multiple braces can significantly improve the symptoms of scoliosis and reduce spinal curvature and its progression. Your child can enjoy their activities and daily routine like before the diagnosis.

How Scoliosis Therapy Centers Can Help

All the brace therapy studies prove that scoliosis bracing therapy is an effective treatment for scoliosis patients. The rigid braces were more effective than the soft braces, and results show that wearing the brace full-time is better than wearing it part-time. Although it can be challenging to get used to wearing a brace in the beginning, most adolescents get used to it in a few weeks. 

It’s especially worth noting that when comparing the TLSO brace (thoraco-lumbo-sacral othosis) to the Rigo-Chêneau brace, 34% of patients needed surgery with the TLSO brace, while no patients needed surgery after using the Rigo-Chêneau. 

Other findings show that bracing therapy is most effective in the Risser stages 0-2 and 0-3 of bone maturity. As the skeletal maturity stage increases, the effectiveness of scoliosis bracing therapy decreases. It is essential that adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients get treatment immediately to fully embrace the highly successful long-term effects of scoliosis bracing.

It’s important to talk to your child’s doctor about whether your child should get scoliosis bracing therapy. A local scoliosis specialist can also work with your family to provide expert advice on the best approach for treating scoliosis and how to measure success in their case. 
Contact us to discuss how you can help your child live to their full potential and allow them to enjoy the activities they love. Find a scoliosis specialist nearby and start your kid on the right treatment immediately.