Can Scoliosis Be Corrected Completely?

Do you or a loved one have scoliosis? While it most often appears in children and teens ages 10-15, scoliosis can also occur during adulthood as a result of degenerative disc disease, poor posture, or even carrying heavy loads with uneven force on the spine. 

You may have pain in your lower back, buttock, or leg from scoliosis if your spine is slightly rotated and is pinching your spinal nerves.  Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons with Peninsula Orthopedic Associates treat patients with scoliosis with care and compassion. 

Will my scoliosis get worse?

It’s likely unsettling to see an X-ray of your spine that looks like the letter “C” or “S”, when it should look like a relatively straight line. You want to know whether the curve in your back will become disfiguring. 

The good news is that scoliosis affects only about 2-3% of the population, and severe scoliosis is very rare. If you or your child has a curve of less than 30°, your curve likely won’t change much, especially with monitoring and conservative treatment. 

When would scoliosis require surgery? 

Most scoliosis patients don’t need surgery, but there are exceptions. If your child is under 10 years old and has a curve greater than 30°, they are likely to need surgery in the future. If you or your child needs surgery, we can often perform it using minimally invasive techniques.  

Can we cure scoliosis?

We can’t completely cure scoliosis, but surgery can correct the spinal curve in severe cases, while conservative treatment helps you manage the condition in other cases. 

Effective treatment for scoliosis

Treatments for scoliosis differ depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the curve. 

Bracing during childhood

If your child has scoliosis and the curve shows signs of progression, we may prescribe a special back brace to keep their spine from continuing to curve as they grow. Studies show that wearing the brace as prescribed can prevent the spinal curve from progressing to the point that it requires surgery. 

Your child would need to wear the brace for most of the time while they’re awake — about 16-23 hours per day. 

The type of brace depends on where the curve is on the spine and whether the vertebrae are rotated or have moved out of position. We try to make accommodations for your child’s activities. Your child should wear the brace until they’ve stopped growing. 

In some cases, your child may only need a brace at night. We let you know the type of brace that we believe would be the most effective for your child.

Physical therapy 

If you experience pain from scoliosis, physical therapy can be effective in reducing or eliminating your pain. We refer you to our physical therapy team. 

The Schroth method — exercise-based physical therapy — addresses rotation of the spine. Studies indicate that this method helps stabilize the spine, improves symptoms, and can slow progression. 

Scoliosis affects your back muscles, too. Some are overworked while others are underused and weak. The Schroth method uses exercises that you help to regain muscle symmetry.  

Spinal rotation with scoliosis is unique to each person. The Schroth method tailors exercises to your specific curvature. 

Breathing exercises are also important. Schroth method uses special breathing techniques that help rotate the spine and keep the rib cage in position. 

Call us at Peninsula Orthopedic Associates or book an appointment online at one of our convenient offices today if you suspect you or your child has scoliosis. We’re located in Daly City, Menlo Park, and Los Gatos, California.