Is scoliosis curable? (and treatment options)

In most cases, it is possible to cure scoliosis with appropriate treatment, however, the form of treatment and the chances of cure vary greatly according to the person’s age:

• Babies and children: it is normally considered severe scoliosis and, therefore, in addition to the orthopedic brace that is often used, spine surgery may also be indicated, in addition to physiotherapy.
• Teenagers and adults: normally only physiotherapy is indicated, which may be able to completely cure scoliosis.

In addition to age, it is also important to assess the degree of scoliosis. When it is greater than 10 degrees, scoliosis is considered more problematic and usually takes longer to treat, requiring more specific treatment such as the use of a brace and physiotherapy. When the degree is lower, scoliosis tends to be easier to cure and can only be done with exercises to strengthen all the muscles and help with the position of the spine.

What are the treatment options

The main forms of treatment that can be used for scoliosis are:

1. Physiotherapy

Klapp Exercise for Scoliosis

Physiotherapy with exercises and electrical stimulation devices is recommended for people with 10 to 35 degrees of scoliosis.

In physiotherapy, different exercises can be performed with the aim of realigning the spine and to do this you must know which side the scoliosis is on so that the side that is more shortened can be lengthened and so that the side that is more elongated can be strengthened. . However, both sides of the torso must be worked at the same time.

Physiotherapy must be carried out daily, and can be done 2-3 times a week at the clinic and every other day at home, performing the exercises personally indicated by the physiotherapist.

A good technique to cure scoliosis is postural correction exercises through RPG, which is Global Postural Reeducation. This technique uses several postures and isometric exercises that aim to realign the spine, bringing great benefits to reducing scoliosis and back pain. Other recommended exercises are Isostretching and Clinical Pilates. Find out what it is and examples of Isostretching.

Vertebral manipulations using the chiropractic method can also help reduce pressure on the spine and realign it and can be used once a week, after a physiotherapy session.

2. Orthopedic brace

Examples of braces for scoliosis

The use of an orthopedic brace is recommended when scoliosis is between 20 and 40 degrees. In this case, the vest must be worn at all times, and must only be removed when taking a shower and undergoing physiotherapy.

It is usually placed on children over 4 years of age or teenagers and may need to spend years with it for the curvature of the spine to normalize. It is not recommended to use a brace when the curvature is greater than 60 degrees and between 40 and 60 degrees it is only indicated when it is not possible to perform surgery.

Wearing the brace forces the spine to remain centralized and avoids surgery, being effective in most cases, but for it to have the expected effect the brace must be worn for at least 23 hours a day, until the teenager reaches height end, around 18 years of age.

The vest can only support the lumbar spine; the lumbar and thoracic spine, or the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine, depending on each person’s needs.

3. Spine surgery

Surgery is indicated when there is more than 30 degrees of scoliosis in young people and 50 degrees in adults, and consists of placing some orthopedic screws to position the spine as erect as possible, but in most cases it is still not possible to leave the spine completely centralized, but it is possible to improve many deformities. Before and after surgery, it is recommended to undergo physiotherapy sessions to improve movements, increase range, elasticity, and combat back pain.

Possible complications

If the individual does not treat scoliosis, it can progress and cause a lot of pain in the back, neck or end of the spine, in addition to muscle contractures. When the inclination is great, there can be other complications such as a herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, which is when a vertebra slips forward or backward on its own, putting pressure on important structures in the spine and there can also be shortness of breath because the lung cannot expand enough. .

Signs of improvement and worsening

Signs of worsening scoliosis include increased spinal inclination, back pain, contractures and when scoliosis affects the final part of the spine, there may be symptoms of sciatic nerve involvement such as pain that radiates to the legs, a burning or tingling sensation in the glutes or legs. When it affects the middle part of the spine, it can even compromise breathing, because the lungs may have more difficulty expanding and filling with air.

Signs of improvement arrive when treatment is started and includes the reduction of all these signs and symptoms.