Scoliosis

Scoliosis FAQs

Scoliosis FAQs

Inclusions:

• My child has scoliosis and is wearing a brace. Until when will this be required?

  A: A brace is generally worn until the child’s bones stop growing. For girls, this happens about two years after menstruation starts. For boys, when they need to shave daily. In both cases, there should be no further increase in height. Then you can discontinue the brace.

• Can adults also develop scoliosis?

  A: Yes, scoliosis in adults can occur, although this is much rarer than among children. You may have had an undiagnosed condition as an adolescent. Or you may have developed scoliosis in later life due to age related degeneration of the spine.

• My child has scoliosis. Are exercise and sports good for her?

  A: Exercise is beneficial to children with scoliosis. Exercise strengthens the core muscles that support the spine. It keeps the body agile and prevents stiffness. Sports are good for your child, too, though you may need to show her how to prevent excessive pressure on her spine. Scoliosis exercises could include stretching, swimming, cycling and strength training.

• Will my child’s scoliosis go away on its own, without treatment?

  A: Actually, it’s very unlikely that scoliosis will go away on its own. Once your child has been diagnosed as having scoliosis, you should meet a specialist and explore all the non-surgical options before you. 

  With the right treatment, further progression of scoliosis can be halted. On the other hand, left untreated, it could trouble your child in the future due to pain, deformity and difficulty in breathing. At that time, surgery may be the only option.

• What are the early signs of scoliosis?

  A: While some people are born with scoliosis, most of the patients develops their spinal deformities during the growth spurt of the adolescence, being the most common form called “adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”, which affects approximately 3% of children under age 16 and has a genetic tendency. Scoliosis may also appears at older age, although not so commonly, usually associated with other spinal disorders. Some of the first symptoms of scoliosis are a marked difference in the height of each shoulder, the head not looking aligned with the rest of the body, uneven hips and a slight bump in the mid or lower back, sometimes accompanied by back pain.

  While these are just a few signs and symptoms of scoliosis, it’s best to get yourself tested by a specialized doctor to be completely sure if you suffer from it.

  Wondering if your symptoms could mean scoliosis? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today for diagnosis.

• Can scoliosis be cured?

  A: There are several kinds of scoliosis that you can be diagnosed with. Depending on your condition, the right treatment will be recommended to you. For instance - children are mainly treated through exercises and regular monitoring which help the spine become normal with time. However, for more severe curves, braces can also be recommended to try to stop the progression of the spine curvature during the adolescence. If the condition progresses rapidly, then we may even consider surgery, to insert internal implants and rods to correct the spinal deformity. Spinal fusion surgery is one of the most common surgical treatments for this condition, which improves the curve and helps prevent further problems.

  Need a safe treatment for your scoliosis? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.

• Is scoliosis caused by bad posture?

  A: Most people tend to think that the primary reason for scoliosis is bad posture. Scientifically speaking, bad posture refers to a position in which the body structures work hard to balance the body due to undue pressure on it. 

  However, when we talk about scoliosis, the most common type: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, is a condition in which the spine becomes abnormally curved due to genetic influence or unknown reasons. The most common postural spinal deformity is called “kyphosis” (hump at the back region when you see from the side view), which can be caused due to bad posture in some cases. However, it can usually be reversed with the proper physiotherapy while the child or adolescent is still growing.

  Want to know how to take care of your scoliosis and prevent it from worsening? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.

• Can sleeping position cause scoliosis?

  A: Many of our patients ask us whether the position in which they sleep has resulted in scoliosis. The truth is that an improper sleeping position does not cause or worsen your scoliosis, but it can aggravate the discomfort you feel if you do have the condition. 

  Someone who already has scoliosis may find certain sleeping positions to be more uncomfortable as it can trigger the pain or cause a pinching sensation while they are asleep. Also, people who have been advised to use braces for scoliosis might find sleeping in different positions uncomfortable as parts of the brace may dig into the skin. Investing in a good quality mattress and pillow can help provide relief to such patients.

  Need the best care of your scoliosis? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today

• Can you fix scoliosis?

  A: There are many ways to fix scoliosis. For some patients, we only recommend specific exercises and stretching along with physiotherapy to reduce the pain and improve the condition of the sciatic nerve. However, for those suffering from moderate to severe scoliosis, we recommend special braces, and even surgery, according to the severity of the case.

  So, if your scoliosis is getting worse or difficult to manage, consult a specialized doctor for the right treatment.

  ​Not sure which treatment is the best for your scoliosis? Book an appointment with a Medcare specialist today.