Overview
The treatment of scoliosis depends on the severity of the side-to-side curve in your spine, along with other factors such as your age and physical condition. Non-surgical treatment, such as bracing, is always the first line of defense. Many scoliosis curves never progress to the point where surgery is necessary.
Scoliosis Observation
If you or someone you know has scoliosis, observation may be an appropriate treatment option for small spinal curves, curves that are at low risk of worsening, and those with a favorable history once growing has stopped.
Scoliosis Bracing
If you have a curve in your spine of 25 to 40 degrees and you are still growing, your doctor may recommend that you wear a brace. The purpose of wearing this brace is to keep the curve in your spine from getting worse while you grow.
Scoliosis Surgery
Surgery is a treatment option used to correct curves in the skeletally mature spine greater than 45 degrees or for spinal curves that haven’t responded to bracing. There are really two goals for scoliosis surgery: to stop a curve from worsening and to correct spinal deformity.