What Causes Scoliosis
A normal, healthy spine has some curvature to it. These gentle curves, which can generally be seen when a person turns to the side, “help the spine absorb stress from body movement and gravity,” said WebMD. But when that curvature is too great, the condition is called scoliosis. Because this condition can cause disability and discomfort, those who suffer from it may be looking for a way to fix scoliosis of the spine.
“Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine,” said MedicineNet. “Scoliosis ranges from 10-20 degrees (mild), 20-50 degrees (moderate), and severe (greater than 50 degrees). There is no cure for scoliosis, but the symptoms can be reduced.”
Scoliosis Treatments
For some with scoliosis, there are no symptoms. In this case, the primary treatment option may simply be observed. “If you don’t have any pain or weakness in the legs, we just watch it,” said Dr. Mark C. Valente, Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon and founder and Medical Director of DISC Spine Institute.
Pain management through medications and physical therapy may be considered for those who need treatment. If the curve is so pronounced that it causes “disability or severe pain, that’s when we consider surgical procedures for scoliosis,” said Valente.
Fortunately for those who need surgery, minimally invasive surgical procedures are making it easier than ever to fix scoliosis of the spine. “New techniques over the last 10 years to address the curvature that are much less invasive,” said Valente. That often means approaching from the side with an incision measuring just an inch-and-a-half versus the “old way,” with an incision that goes all the way up and down the back. “Nowadays we can avoid that in a lot of cases.” This is especially true in treating scoliosis patients.
DISC Spine Institute, are experts in minimally invasive treatments, the most effective medical procedures to treat and eliminate chronic back pain. Today’s minimally invasive procedures include outpatient treatments and easier surgical treatments with small incisions and a quicker recovery time instead of a long hospital stay.
If you are ready to consider scoliosis treatment or are looking for more information, call the DISC Spine Institute today
