One of the main questions we ask ourselves when we discover scoliosis is, "Now what? I have a crooked spine, how to fix it?" It's perfectly normal to have this thought because when life presents us with a problem, our natural instinct is to find a solution. And that's a very positive attitude to have.
When we're talking about scoliosis specifically, it's important to understand that each case should be assessed individually by the medical team taking care of you. Everything depends on the cause of the deformity, the rate of progression, and the degree of curvature. However, in general, there are two main approaches to correcting the so-called "crooked spine." Let's learn more about them?
Crooked Spine, how to fix it? Conservative Treatment
This is the way to treat scoliosis without surgery, which is the dream of most patients and is often the first option recommended by doctors for cases of mild to moderate scoliosis. Surgery may not always be avoidable, even after trying all possibilities of conservative treatment, but it's important to follow this path if recommended by your trusted physician. Furthermore, according to a 2013 study conducted in 25 medical centers in the USA and Canada, and published in one of the world's leading medical journals, The New England Journal of Medicine, early diagnosis of scoliosis, combined with appropriate treatment, avoided surgery in 70% of cases. This underscores the importance of conservative treatment, which has two main pillars:
- Orthopedic brace
The use of a brace is the main resistance we encounter in children and adolescents. And it's understandable, right? After all, it's quite challenging to suddenly start wearing something we're not used to, especially when it covers our entire spine. Back in my day, the treatment for thoracic scoliosis involved the Milwaukee brace, which felt more like a medieval torture device. The good news is that braces have evolved significantly in recent years, and today we have many more adaptable options. As I mentioned earlier, each case is unique, and patients need to be assessed on an individual basis. However, the protocol suggests that children and adolescents with curves above 20 to 25 degrees should wear a brace in an attempt to stabilize the curve's progression. One crucial point that's a medical consensus and essential to understand: the main function of the brace is not to reduce the curve but to stabilize it. A stable scoliosis, with the use of a brace, is a successful treatment! Parents and patients should keep this in mind to ensure that expectations are well aligned, preventing unnecessary frustration. After all, adding more frustration to the mix is the last thing we want - and can afford - during treatment, right?
- Physical Therapy
Specific exercises for scoliosis, performed under the guidance of a physical therapist specialized in this deformity, can be very effective. Nowadays, we have numerous studies and evidence highlighting the importance of physical therapy for individuals with scoliosis.
Crooked Spine, how to fix it? Surgical Treatment
Everything that everyone wants to avoid because scoliosis surgery is complex, lengthy, costly, and painful. However, in some cases (including mine), it's unavoidable, and the most important thing, in my opinion, is to be well-prepared both physically and psychologically for this moment. A multidisciplinary team, including support from a psychology professional, family, and friends, is essential to provide us with the confidence we need to face the challenge. Several factors are assessed to determine if surgery is indeed necessary, including: curvatures above 40 degrees in adolescents who are still growing, progressive development - when scoliosis continues to worsen even after growth has stopped - and when the curve shows no signs of control through conservative treatments. But even if the case requires surgery, there's no need to panic. Today, techniques and materials have advanced significantly, including minimally invasive surgeries for certain special cases.
I hope you find the explanation of how we can correct a crooked spine helpful, everyone. We're all in this together!!!!
ความคิดเห็น