Scoliosis: Treating the Spinal Condition
Scoliosis affects roughly 3 out of every 100 people, and is more common in women than in men. The name of the condition is derived from the Greek word for “crooked” or “bent,” and, as such, the condition consists of the curving of the spine in an “S” or a “C” shape. No cures exist for it currently, but exercise and bracing could help improve the condition, or prevent it from progressing. Surgery, although quite complicated, has alleviated scoliosis greatly in people with a severe version of the condition. Use this guide to learn what scoliosis is, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and where to find support if you or a loved one have it.
Expand All Guide SectionsOverview of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves one or more times. It isn’t life threatening, but at its most severe it can interfere with how organs function. For most cases, doctors don’t know what causes it.
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- Because scoliosis is usually associated with children, some sites are designed for younger users and include stories of teens who have scoliosis. A number of sites are geared toward people who have little to no medical knowledge. But there are various sites out there for individuals who are more familiar with medical concepts and issues. eMedicine, a clinical reference source for physicians, is one example; it has articles on idiopathic scoliosis and neuromuscular scoliosis.
- Scoliosis is a misunderstood disorder that is sometimes confused with kyphosis, which is also a curvature of the spine, but is associated with increased “roundback.”
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For general information on scoliosis …
Mayo Clinic
has a brief overview of scoliosis that includes signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, coping, and more.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
provides a concise explanation of scoliosis. Some particularly helpful features include the picture near the top of the page illustrating the spine curvature and the “The Importance of Early Detection: Tips For Parents” area.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
offers a guide to scoliosis that’s available in PDF format and in Spanish.
Spine-health.com
lists the different types of scoliosis, along with symptom and treatment information. Look for articles about scoliosis on the lower left-hand side of the page, though be aware that many were written in 2002.
For children …
KidsHealth
is geared toward children and in addition to information about scoliosis and treatment, it offers phonetic help to pronounce some of the terminology, such as thoracolumbosacral orthosis.
SpineKIDS.com
aims to teach children and parents about scoliosis with clear language and graphics. Look for some interesting scoliosis myths at the bottom.
For teenage girls …
The Center for Young Women’s Health
has this introductory guide meant for teenage girls that includes a list of other young, famous women, such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Renee Russo, who also have scoliosis. A useful “Glossary of Terms” defines words such as Inclinometer and Scoliometer; scroll down the page to find it.
To find a physician …
The Scoliosis Research Society
can help you find a physician in your area who specializes in disorders such as scoliosis. Search by a doctor’s name or your location. Note that not all scoliosis specialists are listed here.
Scoliosis Symtoms and Diagnosis
Children are routinely screened for scoliosis at school but it’s important for parents to periodically check their children’s backs, too. The links below help you identify scoliosis symptoms and learn about the procedures a physician would use to diagnose it.
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- A few of the links offer warning signs for scoliosis and show parents how to conduct a basic test. Remember, this is just a starting point—that test should be followed up with a doctor’s visit.
- To be diagnosed as scoliosis, a person’s spine curvature must exceed 10 degrees.
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For symptoms …
iScoliosis.com
has a simple list of the symptoms of scoliosis. Additional information is available via tabs to the left of the article for subcategories such as “Flat Back Syndrome” (a condition in which the spine is too straight) and “Cobb Diagnostic” (to measure spine curvature). Note that the site is run by Medtronic, a health technology company that sells products to treat spinal problems. This particular section is quite informative and does not refer readers to a specific product.
For diagnosis …
Aurora Health Care
has a short introduction to diagnosing scoliosis that describes the forward bend test, inclinometer or scoliometer, X-rays, and MRIs.
HealthScout
has a more in-depth guide on scoliosis tests that includes the limitations and risks of some of the tests.
Mayo Clinic’s
graphic can help you see what doctors are looking for when diagnosing scoliosis.
Treatment for Scoliosis
Scoliosis treatments fall into two categories: nonsurgical and surgical. Nonsurgical treatments may include chiropractic therapy, electrical stimulation, bracing, exercise, and nutritional supplements. There are also many surgical options, which carry risks. It’s important to know your options and the possible long-term effects.
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- Only 10 percent of adolescents diagnosed with scoliosis have curvatures that are severe enough to require medical intervention, according to a July 2001 article in American Family Physician.
- There are a number of articles online suggesting new breakthroughs in medicine and recent studies—make sure these articles are current by checking their publication dates.
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For an overview of treatment options …
iScoliosis.com
describes both nonsurgical and surgical treatment paths in extensive detail. The site is sponsored by Medtronic, a company that sells products for procedures such as spine surgery. That said, the site does not push readers toward surgery, and includes tips for wearing and caring for braces.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
has an overview of scoliosis with a particularly useful section on treatment. Included you’ll find answers to questions such as “Which Brace Is Best?” and “If the Doctor Recommends Surgery, Which Procedure Is Best?” Also look for lists of some good questions to consider asking your healthcare professional.
SpineUniverse
has video chats with orthopedic nurse Mary Rodts. One video, called “Spinal Bracing for the Young,” shows the different types of braces available, and explains when they would be used. Rodts also offers tips for children and explains how the braces are fitted. Scroll through the articles to find videos on various topics.
HealthCentral.com
has an article on treating scoliosis in adults. It’s divided into surgical and nonsurgical options, and helps people identify whether they may be candidates for surgery.
For treatment of children …
The UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Children’s Hospital
offer this short passage on the treatment of scoliosis, primarily geared toward children. The site is well organized with sections separated by the degree of curvature. For example, there are treatments for curvature under 10 degrees, 10–30 degrees, 30–50 degrees, and more than 50 degrees.
Pediatric Orthopedics
contains a thorough review of the treatments available for scoliosis with numerous photos and graphics. There’s even a brief history for some of the treatments. Most of the content is written by an orthopedic surgeon based at Overlook Hospital in New Jersey. Though the Web design is primitive, the content is thorough and well written—just be prepared to do a lot of scrolling.
For clinical trials …
ClinicalTrials.gov
provides a list of scoliosis clinical trials, along with contact information for the trials’ principal investigators. Talk to your doctor about any trial you are interested in, and read this article [] to learn more about what a trial is, its risks, and benefits.
Support Groups for Scoliosis
Scoliosis tends to develop during adolescence, and can be a heavy burden on teens during these already-emotional years. However, those with scoliosis are not alone; the Web has many resources that connect people with shared experiences for support.
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- A great way to stay in touch with the scoliosis community is by joining a foundation. By doing so, you can receive newsletters and updates on the developments with scoliosis research, and you can gain access to many support groups throughout the country.
- This can’t be repeated too many times: when chatting online and in forums, be careful about how much personal information you give out, and remember that what someone else is writing may not be the truth.
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For foundations and societies …
The National Scoliosis Foundation
has a brochure written by a teenage girl called “Fashion Rescue.” It gives tips for wearing clothes to disguise braces. Take a look at a list of “Frequently asked questions”submitted by users and answered by the NSF staff, or find medical updates in the site’s “Resources” section.
The Scoliosis Association, Inc.
is a nonprofit organization that specializes in support groups and information lines. Find support groups that meet throughout the nation, along with a newsletter called “BackTalk”, that has articles from doctors and patients on current scoliosis news. You’ll need to become a member of the organization (for a $20 annual fee) to access the newsletter.
The Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program
was created to bring together the parents of children who have progressive infantile scoliosis, so they can share information about the best possible treatment for their kids. The organization offers an online support group, information, and the opportunity to read about others’ stories.
For forums …
Daily Strength
has an online support community for scoliosis. After creating an account, a process that is quick and free, users can access Daily Strength message boards, exchange messages and virtual hugs, and share their experiences.
The National Scoliosis Foundation
has an active forum where people can discuss matters related to scoliosis. Discussions are diverse and deal with issues as varied as rating scoliosis doctors and deciding what clothes to wear.
Research and Writing about Scoliosis
For the most part, the information provided so far in this guide comes from organizations and Web sites that give you the facts about scoliosis. The Web sites listed below may come from more obscure places but still offer valuable information about the condition. Read blogs to learn the opinions and advice of other scoliosis sufferers, or take a look at scholarly journals to find the current developments in treatment.
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- The large organizations mentioned throughout this guide are the best places to find articles and studies on the newest scoliosis developments. Organizations like the National Scoliosis Foundation and the Scoliosis Research Society are some examples.
- Most blogs have a running list of links to other recommended blogs in the margins of their page. These lists are called "blogrolls," and they're a great way to discover new sites.
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iScoliosis.com
has quite a few scoliosis resources, including “Patient Stories” and videos of someone who is recovering from surgery. This site is run by Medtronic, a health technology company that sells spinal products. It’s something to keep in mind when reading about clinical trials and surgery.
For blogs …
Suzy’s Life With Scoliosis
is a blog that details one woman’s experiences, as well as her family’s, and provides a place where people can share their thoughts. Suzy lived with scoliosis pain and body image problems throughout childhood, and then chose to have corrective surgery in her adult years. Her son also has scoliosis, and he underwent surgery as well. She is a writer by trade, so the material is well written.
For research …
Scoliosis
is a scholarly journal covering topics in scoliosis research. Access well-researched articles on some of the most cutting-edge developments for free, but be aware that some of the articles can be a bit dense.
The North American Spine Society
is an organization that focuses on “education, research and advocacy” for spinal care. The organization publishes a substantial amount of information, including The Spine Journal and SpineLine. The downside is neither the abstracts or articles are available for free. But some free information about research and polls is available under the “News Releases” section.
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