Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?Get the factsYour options- Schedule surgery to treat scoliosis.
- Don't schedule surgery yet. Schedule regular checkups to see if the curve is getting worse. Children
may wear a brace to keep the curve from getting worse.
Key points to remember- Mild curves are usually checked by the doctor every 4 to 6 months until the bones stop growing, to be sure the curves are not getting worse.
- Moderate curves may need to be braced until the bones stop growing, to keep the curves from getting worse.
- Severe curves or moderate curves that are getting worse may need surgery.
FAQs Scoliosis is an abnormal
curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being
straight. The spine also may be twisted. The
main type of surgery is a
spinal fusion. The curved part of the backbone is
straightened with rods, wires, hooks, or screws. Then small pieces of bone are
put over the spine. These pieces of bone will grow together, or fuse, with the
spine, holding it in the proper position.
Instrumentation without fusion is another type of surgery to straighten the spine. The doctor
attaches metal rods to the spine without fusing the bones together. This is
only done in younger children who are still growing. It's used when doctors don't want to fuse bones
together because it would stop growth in that area of the spine. The child
usually has to wear a brace full-time after having this surgery. Surgery usually can improve
the curve and keep it from getting worse. Surgery may also help decrease pain
and allow your child to do more daily activities. Each child's
scoliosis is different. Talk to your child's doctor about whether surgery can help. Risks of surgery to
fix a spinal curve include: - Problems that can happen with back surgery,
such as nerve damage, lung problems, or spinal cord damage.
- No more
growth in the fused area of a child's spine. This could mean that a child may
be slightly less tall than he or she would be without fusion.
- Problems that can happen in any surgery, such as blood clots or
infection or problems from anesthesia. The risk of these problems is higher in
older adults than in younger people.
Talk to your doctor about your child's chances of
having problems from surgery. Other problems include lost time at
school or at work for recovery and the possible need to wear a body cast or brace
for a few months after surgery. A moderate to severe
spinal curve that is getting worse and is not fixed with surgery is likely to keep getting worse. As scoliosis gets worse, the bones of the spine move toward the inside of the curve. If it happens in the upper part of the spine, the ribs may crowd together on one side and spread apart on the other side. The curve may force the spinal bones closer together. The spinal bones on the outer edge of the curve may also get thick. In severe curves, the ribs that are pulled out
of position may reduce the amount of air the lungs can hold. They also may
cause the heart to work harder to pump blood through the compressed lung
tissue. Over time, this may lead to breathing problems and heart failure. Scoliosis that is present
at birth or that occurs in infants may be worse over time than a spine that
curves later in life. If an infant or young child with a severe spinal curve
does not have surgery, it is likely that the curve will get worse. This is
because the curve gets worse as the child grows. Your doctor might suggest surgery for your
child if: - Your child has a moderate to severe curve, and it's getting
worse.
- Your child has pain or trouble doing daily activities.
- Bracing cannot be used or does not work.
Compare your options | |
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What is usually involved? |
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What are the benefits? |
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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Schedule surgery Schedule surgery - Your child will likely stay
in the hospital for several days after
surgery.
- Your child will have to
spend a few weeks at home. Your child can go back to school in 3 or 4
weeks.
- For 6 to 12 months, your child can't do anything that
could jar the spine-such as roller skating or skiing.
- Your child may need to wear a body cast or brace for a few
months after surgery.
- Surgery usually can improve the
curve and keep it from getting worse.
- It may decrease your child's pain and allow your child to do daily
activities.
- It can prevent breathing and heart problems from the
curved spine.
- Any surgery can cause
problems such as bleeding, blood clots, and infection.
Anesthesia also can cause problems.
- Back surgery has a risk of nerve damage, lung problems, or spinal
cord damage.
- In a child, spinal fusion will stop growth in the area
of the spine that is fused. This could mean that a child may be slightly less
tall than he or she would be without fusion.
Don't schedule surgery
Don't schedule surgery
- Your child gets
checkups every 4 to 6 months to see if the curve is getting worse.
- Your child can take
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for
pain.
- Children may wear a brace to keep the curve from getting
worse.
- Exercises may help back pain.
- Exercise and over-the-counter
medicines may ease your child's pain.
- Your child won't have the
risks of back surgery.
- Your child won't have to take several weeks off from school or work.
- Wearing a brace may keep your child's spinal curve from
getting worse.
- The spinal
curve could get worse.
- If the curve gets bad enough, it could affect your child's breathing and
heart.
- Your child could have pain and trouble doing daily
activities.
My daughter
was diagnosed with a mild to moderate spinal curve when she was 16 years old. Tests
showed that she was almost done growing, and her doctor said it was likely that
the curve would not get worse. We were relieved because we didn't want her to
have surgery, but of course we didn't want her to have problems with her back
as she got older. When my daughter was in the sixth grade, I
noticed that her clothes seemed to hang unevenly. We looked at her back and saw
that her shoulders were not even. Her doctor examined her and took X-rays of
her spine. To our shock and surprise, she had a large spinal curve. Because
of her age, the fact that she was just starting her teenage growth spurt, and
the size of her spinal curve, it was likely that her spinal curve would get
worse. We decided that surgery would provide the best chance for stopping the
curve from growing and for stabilizing her spine. My daughter's doctor says her scoliosis curve is moderate and surgery might keep it from getting worse. But surgery scares me, and the scoliosis isn't bothering her. I'd rather take her to regular checkups for a while and see if the curve gets worse. My son and I had a long talk about surgery. He really misses playing sports. And it's important to him to be in the best shape possible when he's older. So it's important to me too. We're choosing surgery. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to schedule surgery for scoliosis Reasons not to schedule surgery for scoliosis I want to get rid of my child's back pain. Exercise and over-the-counter medicine work well to control my child's pain. More important Equally important More important A curved spine keeps my child from doing a lot of the activities that he or she likes. My child is still able to do the things that he or she likes to do. More important Equally important More important I worry that my child's spine will get worse as he or she grows. I would rather wait and see if my child's spine gets worse as he or she grows. More important Equally important More important My child can take a time off from school or work to recover from the surgery. My child can't take a lot of time off right now to recover from the surgery. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Schedule surgery to treat scoliosis.
- Don't schedule surgery yet. Schedule regular checkups to see if the curve is getting worse. Children
may wear a brace to keep the curve from getting worse.
Key points to remember- Mild curves are usually checked by the doctor every 4 to 6 months until the bones stop growing, to be sure the curves are not getting worse.
- Moderate curves may need to be braced until the bones stop growing, to keep the curves from getting worse.
- Severe curves or moderate curves that are getting worse may need surgery.
FAQs What is scoliosis?Scoliosis is an abnormal
curve in the spine . The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being
straight. The spine also may be twisted. What kind of surgery can fix a spinal curve?The
main type of surgery is a
spinal fusion. The curved part of the backbone is
straightened with rods, wires, hooks, or screws. Then small pieces of bone are
put over the spine. These pieces of bone will grow together, or fuse, with the
spine, holding it in the proper position.
Instrumentation without fusion is another type of surgery to straighten the spine. The doctor
attaches metal rods to the spine without fusing the bones together. This is
only done in younger children who are still growing. It's used when doctors don't want to fuse bones
together because it would stop growth in that area of the spine. The child
usually has to wear a brace full-time after having this surgery. How can surgery help?Surgery usually can improve
the curve and keep it from getting worse. Surgery may also help decrease pain
and allow your child to do more daily activities. Each child's
scoliosis is different. Talk to your child's doctor about whether surgery can help. What are the risks of surgery?Risks of surgery to
fix a spinal curve include: - Problems that can happen with back surgery,
such as nerve damage, lung problems, or spinal cord damage.
- No more
growth in the fused area of a child's spine. This could mean that a child may
be slightly less tall than he or she would be without fusion.
- Problems that can happen in any surgery, such as blood clots or
infection or problems from anesthesia. The risk of these problems is higher in
older adults than in younger people.
Talk to your doctor about your child's chances of
having problems from surgery. Other problems include lost time at
school or at work for recovery and the possible need to wear a body cast or brace
for a few months after surgery. What are the risks of not having surgery?A moderate to severe
spinal curve that is getting worse and is not fixed with surgery is likely to keep getting worse. As scoliosis gets worse, the bones of the spine move toward the inside of the curve. If it happens in the upper part of the spine, the ribs may crowd together on one side and spread apart on the other side. The curve may force the spinal bones closer together. The spinal bones on the outer edge of the curve may also get thick. In severe curves, the ribs that are pulled out
of position may reduce the amount of air the lungs can hold. They also may
cause the heart to work harder to pump blood through the compressed lung
tissue. Over time, this may lead to breathing problems and heart failure. Scoliosis that is present
at birth or that occurs in infants may be worse over time than a spine that
curves later in life. If an infant or young child with a severe spinal curve
does not have surgery, it is likely that the curve will get worse. This is
because the curve gets worse as the child grows. Why might your doctor recommend surgery to fix scoliosis?Your doctor might suggest surgery for your
child if: - Your child has a moderate to severe curve, and it's getting
worse.
- Your child has pain or trouble doing daily activities.
- Bracing cannot be used or does not work.
2. Compare your options| | Schedule surgery | Don't schedule surgery
|
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - Your child will likely stay
in the hospital for several days after
surgery.
- Your child will have to
spend a few weeks at home. Your child can go back to school in 3 or 4
weeks.
- For 6 to 12 months, your child can't do anything that
could jar the spine-such as roller skating or skiing.
- Your child may need to wear a body cast or brace for a few
months after surgery.
| - Your child gets
checkups every 4 to 6 months to see if the curve is getting worse.
- Your child can take
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for
pain.
- Children may wear a brace to keep the curve from getting
worse.
- Exercises may help back pain.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - Surgery usually can improve the
curve and keep it from getting worse.
- It may decrease your child's pain and allow your child to do daily
activities.
- It can prevent breathing and heart problems from the
curved spine.
| - Exercise and over-the-counter
medicines may ease your child's pain.
- Your child won't have the
risks of back surgery.
- Your child won't have to take several weeks off from school or work.
- Wearing a brace may keep your child's spinal curve from
getting worse.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - Any surgery can cause
problems such as bleeding, blood clots, and infection.
Anesthesia also can cause problems.
- Back surgery has a risk of nerve damage, lung problems, or spinal
cord damage.
- In a child, spinal fusion will stop growth in the area
of the spine that is fused. This could mean that a child may be slightly less
tall than he or she would be without fusion.
| - The spinal
curve could get worse.
- If the curve gets bad enough, it could affect your child's breathing and
heart.
- Your child could have pain and trouble doing daily
activities.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about surgery for scoliosis
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My daughter was diagnosed with a mild to moderate spinal curve when she was 16 years old. Tests showed that she was almost done growing, and her doctor said it was likely that the curve would not get worse. We were relieved because we didn't want her to have surgery, but of course we didn't want her to have problems with her back as she got older." — Mother of Linda,
age 17 "When my daughter was in the sixth grade, I noticed that her clothes seemed to hang unevenly. We looked at her back and saw that her shoulders were not even. Her doctor examined her and took X-rays of her spine. To our shock and surprise, she had a large spinal curve. Because of her age, the fact that she was just starting her teenage growth spurt, and the size of her spinal curve, it was likely that her spinal curve would get worse. We decided that surgery would provide the best chance for stopping the curve from growing and for stabilizing her spine." — Father of Marta, age 14 "My daughter's doctor says her scoliosis curve is moderate and surgery might keep it from getting worse. But surgery scares me, and the scoliosis isn't bothering her. I'd rather take her to regular checkups for a while and see if the curve gets worse." — Mother of Sarah, age
12 "My son and I had a long talk about surgery. He really misses playing sports. And it's important to him to be in the best shape possible when he's older. So it's important to me too. We're choosing surgery." — Father of Henri,
age 13 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to schedule surgery for scoliosis Reasons not to schedule surgery for scoliosis I want to get rid of my child's back pain. Exercise and over-the-counter medicine work well to control my child's pain. More important Equally important More important A curved spine keeps my child from doing a lot of the activities that he or she likes. My child is still able to do the things that he or she likes to do. More important Equally important More important I worry that my child's spine will get worse as he or she grows. I would rather wait and see if my child's spine gets worse as he or she grows. More important Equally important More important My child can take a time off from school or work to recover from the surgery. My child can't take a lot of time off right now to recover from the surgery. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
If your child has any amount of spinal curve, should you schedule surgery? You're right. Surgery is recommended only for severe spinal curve. Most spinal curves are not bad enough to need surgery. 2.
Can a brace help keep a child's spinal curve from getting worse? That's right. A brace can keep a child's spinal curve from getting worse. 3.
Should you consider surgery if your child's moderate curve is getting worse? That's right. Doctors usually recommend surgery if a moderate spinal curve is getting worse, or for a severe curve. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
|---|
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
March 21, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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