It’s normal to have a slight curve in your spine. But with scoliosis, there’s a more pronounced “sideways” curve in the spine — like an “S” or “C” shape. Scoliosis can appear when a child is young, but it’s most likely to occur between the ages of 10 and the early teens.

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Children with scoliosis don’t always display the same symptoms. Here are a few symptoms you can look for at home:

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• One shoulder blade juts out more than the other

• Ribs stick out more prominently on one side 

• Tilted or uneven shoulders, which may make clothing appear crooked

• Uneven waistline or hip bone, which can make pant legs appear uneven

• Head doesn’t appear centered with the rest of the body

Scoliosis is measured by the degree of curvature in your child’s spine. A curve higher than 10 degrees is typically considered a sign of scoliosis. The less severe the curve, the less likely it is that your child will need treatment.

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The good news is pediatric scoliosis responds well to treatment. It all starts with a correct diagnosis and a treatment plan that’s tailored to your child’s unique needs. More severe cases may require treatment like bracing or surgery to prevent your child from developing issues with breathing or heart function.

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The 3 main scoliosis treatment options are:

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• Monitoring. In milder cases, we may simply monitor the spine to make sure the curve doesn’t worsen.  As children grow, the severity of their scoliosis can change. If the curve increases, treatment may become necessary. If your child’s spinal curve is less than 25 degrees, we may recommend appointments every 6 to 12 months to monitor the spine and schedule follow-up X-rays.

• Bracing. Bracing is often used to treat children and teens whose scoliosis is between 25 and 45 degrees. Bracing may not correct the curve in your child’s spine, but can stop the curve from getting worse. Our custom-designed braces allow as much movement, comfort, and flexibility as possible. We also offer an innovative bracing treatment for younger patients called a Mehta cast.

• Surgery. If your child’s spinal curvature is 45 degrees or more, or if bracing doesn’t help, we may recommend surgery. Unlike monitoring and bracing, scoliosis surgery — called spinal fusion — can correct the curve and prevent it from returning or worsening. Your child’s surgeon will realign the curve, then fuse the section of straightened vertebrae. Once fused, that part of the spine will no longer grow. The fused vertebrae will heal together as if they are one bone. Our surgeons are highly skilled in complex procedures, including:

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• Anterior, posterior, and interbody spinal fusion
• Cervical spine surgery
• Growing rods (MAGEC)
• Lumbar spine surgery
• Titanium rib procedure (VEPTR)

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Other treatment options for young patients include:

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• Casting. Children under the age of 3 may undergo serial casting to correct scoliosis. A special traction table is used when applying a cast. Casts are changed every 3-4 months.

• Growth-Friendly Spinal Instrumentation. Young patients with large or progressive curves may require an implant that controls the curve, while still allowing the spine to grow. We use magnetically-controlled growing rods (MAGEC rods) to lengthen the spine without general anesthesia.