Scoliosis surgery is a complex procedure that requires extensive training and experience. There are several surgical options available to treat spinal curves in children, with each having its own pros and cons. As parents of a child with scoliosis, you’ll likely be faced with the decision of whether or not to pursue surgery. This blog will help you decide if surgery is right for your child, while also addressing common questions about spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis.
Scoliosis is the most common spinal problem in children
Scoliosis surgery is recommended for children with severe (50 degree cobb angle or more on x-ray) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The spine is made up of vertebrae, and scoliosis is a bending of one or more of these bone segments. Because of the curve in the spine, the spinal cord becomes compressed and can become damaged. Scoliosis surgery can correct scoliosis and prevent any damage to the spinal cord.
Some signs and symptoms of scoliosis in children include spinal curvature, pain, difficulty walking, and fatigue. If you notice these indications, speak to your child’s doctor about scoliosis surgery as a possible treatment option.
Before considering surgery for scoliosis, your child’s doctor will consider factors such as age and type of curve to determine whether surgery is warranted. The risks associated with scoliosis surgery in children include bleeding, infection, pain, numbness, disability from an incision, and death.
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Why the Procedure is Performed
Scoliosis surgery is often performed to spinal curvatures that can cause pain, body image concerns, or breathing problems. In some cases, surgery can also reduce the risk of future scoliosis-related complications, discomfort, and scoliosis progression.
To perform scoliosis surgery, a medical doctor will use X-ray images to diagnose scoliosis and determine the extent of curvature in the spine. Once a treatment plan has been established, scoliosis surgery may include open surgery, which involves making an incision across the back, or closed surgery, which involves making smaller incisions and sewing up the back.
Scoliosis surgery typically involves adjusting the position of spine bones and tissues to correct spinal curvature. This may involve using special instrumentation to alter spinal curvature or surgically stabilizing spine curves with metal rod surgeries or other methods.
After scoliosis surgery, patients may experience pain at the surgical site and general discomfort. They may also notice difficulty walking or sitting for long periods of time. Scoliosis surgery is not without risks and issues; patients should discuss their treatment options with their medical provider.
3 Goals of Scoliosis Surgery
Scoliosis surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat the cosmetic concerns caused by scoliosis. The three goals of scoliosis surgery are to reduce the curvature of the spine, stop further curve progression, and improve cosmetic appearance. This procedure can be performed on both young and older patients as it has significant benefits. Scoliosis surgery improves overall health and quality of life by helping patients walk correctly and avoid pain and problems. The surgery is also effective in addressing curvature of the spine that interferes with breathing and other vital functions.
Do I need surgery?
If conservative treatment fails to relieve scoliosis pain, spine surgery is an option for patients. Scoliosis surgery can be performed on patients of any age, although it is most commonly done on patients between the ages of 11 and 17 years. Before surgery, the surgeon will assess the scoliosis curve and take into consideration and problems that may arise from the surgery.
After surgery, the patient will spend time in a hospital or surgical center recovering. Depending on their condition, patients may need physical therapy and follow-up care for several months after surgery. Surgery for scoliosis typically provides pain relief for many people with the condition, but only about half of those who undergo surgery experience long-term improvement in scoliosis curve progression.
Questions About Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis
Spine surgery for scoliosis is a surgical procedure that restores spine balance and stability. It stabilizes the spine curvature by fusing vertebrae to one another. This generally results in improved spinal health and function, which can lead to improved overall well-being for patients.
Benefits of spine surgery for scoliosis include reduction of back pain, disability, and scoliosis itself. Additionally, the surgery improves spine stability and height, which can help people to achieve a healthy posture and less spinal deformities, however it may have a negative effect on spinal kyphosis (flat back syndrome).
However, spine surgery for scoliosis has associated risks such as issues from anesthesia and possible loss of mobility or ability to stand or walk. Furthermore, recovery time is long and painful due to the incision necessary for surgery. In additional, a long period of bracing my be recommended until the fusion healed. Overall, patients and their families should carefully consider the benefits and risks of this surgery before pursuing it as an option.
About the Surgery
Spinal fusion is a surgery used to treat scoliosis in children if bracing and other conservative treatment options have failed to prevent curve progression beyond a 50 degree cobb angle on x-ray. The procedure involves attaching metal rods to the spine and fusing them together with bone grafts. The goal of spine surgery is to stop the progression of scoliosis and reduce pain and discomfort.
The surgery typically involves attaching metal rods to the spine and fusing them together with bone grafts. The rods are usually made of a sturdy material, such as titanium or steel, which can support the spine as it heals over time. In some cases, fusion implants or bone grafts from the pelvis may be used instead.
During spinal surgery, the surgeon may also move surrounding structures, such as muscles, ligaments, and nerves, to help align the spine and restore its normal functionality. Recovery time varies depending on various factors, such as age and physical condition.
What is minimally invasive spine surgery for children?
-What is minimally invasive scoliosis surgery for kids?
-Any surgery carries risk, but scoliosis surgery is considered a minimally invasive surgery and is a key component of treatment for scoliosis.
– It involves the surgeon making small incisions in the back and around the spine to diagnose and improve the scoliosis. This provides a view of the spine that’s not possible with traditional surgery. The surgery also helps improve cosmetic appearance and improve spinal stability in patients with scoliosis.
– What are the risks of scoliosis surgery for kids?
-Fusion is an invasive spine surgery that carries risks for both young people and adults. Minimally invasive scoliosis surgery can be done through small incisions in the back and around the spine, which enables surgeons to view spinal curve more easily and to correct it more accurately than with traditional surgery. As such, issues from scoliosis surgery are less likely to occur when performed this way. Both traditional surgery and minimally invasive surgery requires general anesthesia, which carries risks of its own, such as infection or breathing difficulties.
– Minimally invasive scoliosis surgery provides an effective treatment option for scoliosis patients, but it’s important to discuss ALL of your options with your doctor to see what is best for you, especially if the patient hasn’t reached skeletal maturity yet.
Why might my child need minimally invasive scoliosis surgery?
Scoliosis surgery may be necessary for children whose curves are severe and still progressing. In some cases, minimally invasive scoliosis surgery can help stop the progression of the curve and improve body image. This type of surgery is often used for younger patients because it is less traumatic and has a shorter recovery time. With minimally invasive scoliosis surgery, doctors can perform the procedure through small incisions and minimize damage to the surrounding tissue.
These incisions are often placed in areas that are hidden from view so as to preserve the natural appearance of the back. By performing this type of surgery through small incisions, surgeons can avoid cutting through vital nerves and blood vessels, which can lead to problems and lasting pain after surgery is completed.
As with more traditional scoliosis surgery, minimally invasive scoliosis surgery may help reduce deformity and pain in patients who suffer from this condition. However, this kind of surgical procedure may be more effective in younger patients due to its shorter recovery time and reduced physical trauma.
How successful is surgery for scoliosis?
Scoliosis surgery is one of the most effective ways of treating scoliosis in young patients. It aims to correct the curvature of spine and improve the posture and function of the spine by removing any part of spine that is too far from a straight line. Various types of scoliosis surgery are available, with spinal vertebrae fusion being the most common option. This surgical procedure safely corrects scoliosis and prevents it from worsening over time. However, scoliosis surgery isn’t for everyone and it should only be considered as a last resort. To be a candidate for scoliosis surgery, patients must have mild or moderate scoliosis with no pain or complications resulting from their curvature. They must also have an adequate level of bone growth to support the correction of their spine. After scoliosis surgery, patients are typically monitored by a spine surgeon or orthopedic surgeon to ensure that they’re recovering well.
It can take several weeks to months to recover after scoliosis surgery, depending on factors such as the type of surgery performed and the patient’s age and health status.
How straight will my spine be after surgery?
Surgical treatment of scoliosis is considered an effective way to reduce the pain, mobility limitations, and cosmetic deformity associated with this disease. Spinal fusion surgery is the most common type of scoliosis surgery and can be very successful in reducing severe curves. The surgery involves fusing two or more vertebrae together to reduce the curve, thereby improving posture and reducing pain. However, spinal fusion surgery does not guarantee that a patient’s spine will be completely straight after the operation; some curvature may still remain. Therefore, continued physical therapy and a healthy lifestyle are essential for achieving long-term success in recovery from scoliosis. Overall, surgical intervention for scoliosis can help improve patients’ health and quality of life by reducing deformity and pain caused by this condition.
Potential Complications
Scoliosis surgery is a treatment for scoliosis, but it has its own set of risks and issues. The most common problems of scoliosis surgery include infection, nerve damage, and blood clots. Additionally, there is a risk that the curved spine may not be adequately corrected or remain straight after surgery. So patients must fully understand all risks and problems before deciding to have scoliosis surgery. In addition to considering all potential risks, patients should also discuss their options for treatment with their doctor.
Online consultation scheduling is available!
To learn more about how to treat the whole scoliosis condition and not only the curve, connect with our passionate providers at ScoliSMART. To explore a non-brace/ non-surgical treatment for your child’s scoliosis problem, you may schedule a no-cost Zoom or phone consultation with a ScoliSMART doctor. Please get in touch with us today!
ScoliSMART Clinics is committed to treating the WHOLE scoliosis condition, not only the curve. Genetic & clinical testing with targeted nutrient therapies, expert in-office treatment programs, and the world’s only ScoliSMART Activity Suit provides patients of all ages with the most comprehensive, most effective, and least invasive treatment options available worldwide.
Risk prevention
The treatment of scoliosis can be challenging, and it often requires multiple surgical interventions over time. Before surgery, patients must maintain good health status through a nutritious diet and exercise program. To ensure a successful surgery, it is important to follow the doctors’ recommendations and plan for adequate recovery time after treatment. Many patients are encouraged to donate their own blood in case of a transfusion. If you are considering surgery for scoliosis, it’s important to speak with multiple orthopedic surgeons to find one that best fits your needs and goals.
Does surgery lead to permanent restrictions on activities?
After scoliosis surgery, the child is required to undergo regular follow-ups with a doctor to monitor his or her progress and make any necessary adjustments in the surgery.
In general, scoliosis surgery requires an extended period of rest and rehabilitation. In addition, the child must avoid bending back too far and twisting his or her spine in awkward positions. The recovery period is of around 6-8 weeks in most cases. However, it can vary depending on the type of scoliosis surgery performed by a doctor and the level of deformity. This can result in problems such as back pain, weakness, numbness, tingling or paralysis. Furthermore, scoliosis surgery may lead to issues like incisional infection, nerve damage, blood loss or organ damage if it’s not conducted correctly.
