Scoliosis is a fault in the curvature of the spine that typically begins in childhood. Harvinder S. Bedi, MD, of Camelback Spine Care in Sun City, Arizona, and Phoenix, Arizona is a board-certified spine surgeon who has considerable expertise in treating patients with scoliosis, using advanced surgical techniques to correct severe curvature. Call Camelback Spine Care today if you or your teen has back problems, or book an appointment online.
Scoliosis is a condition typically seen in children over 10 years old, in which their spine bends to the side instead of being vertically aligned.
In most cases, the cause of a child’s scoliosis isn’t known, in which case it’s referred to as idiopathic scoliosis. About 10-15% of cases are due to identifiable causes:
Congenital scoliosisBabies whose spinal development doesn’t progress as it should may be born with congenital scoliosis.
Neuromuscular scoliosisChildren who have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, or other conditions that affect nerves and muscles may develop neuromuscular scoliosis.
You may hear or read that scoliosis is due to poor posture, but this isn’t true. It’s not possible to prevent scoliosis, but there are effective treatment options available.
A great many people who have scoliosis lead normal lives, playing sports and pursuing many different activities with few, if any, problems. Most people who have scoliosis don’t experience pain or discomfort unless the curvature is pronounced.
Problems may arise from scoliosis if the curvature in the spine is severe, in which case, the spine may press on the heart and lungs.
If you or your teen isn’t affected by having scoliosis, treatment may not be necessary, but you should visit Camelback Spine Care for periodic checkups to measure the curvature of the spine and review how you’re managing the condition.
Bracing can help in milder cases, but if the bend in the spine is above 45 degrees, then surgery may be beneficial to avoid pressure on the heart and lungs.
Dr. Bedi prepares for surgery by measuring how flexible the spine is using specialized X-rays. These X-rays allow him to calculate how much he can straighten the spine during the procedure. In most cases, he can reduce patients’ curvature to under 25 degrees.
The surgery involves straightening the spine and fusing the vertebrae into place to correct the curvature without putting any pressure on the spinal cord or affecting other parts of the spine. This type of surgery is an effective solution to excessive spinal curvature caused by scoliosis.
If you’re concerned about the alignment of your child’s spine, call Camelback Spine Care today to arrange a consultation with Dr. Bedi, or book an appointment online.
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