For the Parents

The parents of scoliosis patients often have questions and concerns themselves about what is going on.  This page is to help link parents together and help to give important information about the treatment of their child.

Introduction

Scoliosis is a disorder that usually affects teenagers durring their growth spurts, and, most comonly, in girls.  One thing that I have noticed in my work with parents of scoliosis patients is that they look for support just as their children do.  It is important to have a seperate page for parents to explain more in depth some of the things that will be important for you and not so much for the patients.  This page is also designed to allow the parents better understand some of the accuall feelings and problems from the point-of-view of patients whom have finished their treamtment.

First Days as a Scoliosis Parent

You have just been told that your child has scoliosis.  You might have known this, but you might not have.  Now what?  If it was diagnosed by a family doctor or a pediatritian, you will probably need to see an orthopedic specialist.  This is the person that will determine what the best mode of treatment will be for your child.  If it is your choice, you might feel better to get a second opinion.  This is a choice that you and your child should think about together.  Some parents do feel like they have done something wrong to cause their children to have scoliosis.  However, there is no real reason to.  It would be something that no one can really help in almost every case.

Visiting the Orthopedic Surgeon

Once you have found an orthopedic surgeon, the visit usually comes next.  At this visit, the normal exam will follow.  You and your child will play the waiting game while you wait for your name to be called.  Your child might have to have her/his height and weight taken, but this might vary.  When your child's name is called, he/she will go to an exam room and noramlly, change into a gown to be checked.  The doctor will come in and do the basic tests.  Your child will have to stand while the doctor examines his/her back.  Next, the doctor will have your child lean forward so that the curve may be better examined.  Some other tests might be done along with these, but, once again, it depends on the physician. The other major purpose of this first exam is to get an x-ray to examine the curve(s).  This x-ray is VERY important to determining the curvature of the spine and watch any progression that might occur.  The x-ray(s) will be done standing.  The doctor usually will request a rear view and a side view.  Once again, this might vary depending on your child's doctor.  If you have a concern about radiation, don't worry.  A lot of the radiologest now use tools called shields to protect unwanted areas from exposure. Following the x-rays, the doctor might have you come back into the exam room to tell you what they found.  Here the doctor might recomend treatmets such as a brace or even surgery.  However, the doctor might deside, if the curve is under a certain point, to wait, and just to watch for any progression.  If you wait, your child will have another appointment 3-6 months from then to check again.  If the doctor and your child choose a treatment option at that point, these are explained later in the page. Another test that your child's orthopedic surgeon might request is an MRI.  This is like a 3-D x-ray.  This gives a good picture of how the spinal cord is holding up.  In some severe scoliosis, the spinal cord might be pinched. This is obviously not too good.  This just tells the doctors if and what treatment should be done and when.  The MRI itself is painless for your child.  He/she will be placed in a tunnel-like machine for the amount of time that is needed to complete the pictures.  Several hospitals have special accomidations for your child to help calm any fears.  Check these out with your local hospital if such is the case.

What treatment options is best?

As always, each case is diffrent, and the treatment for your child's scoliosis will depend on the severity of the curve(s) and your child's doctor's practice.  A pretty good indicator that I have heard for treatment is as follows:           - 10- ~20 degrees:  Continute watching for any progression           - 20- ~35-40 degrees:  Brace Appropriate for the curvature (if possible)           - Greater than 40 degrees:  Appropriate surgery ** PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS DEPENDS ON HOW THE DOCTOR FEELS AND INDIVIDUAL CASES.  TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR USES TO DETERMINE TREATMENT, CONTACT HIS/HER OFFICE.  THIS IS A GENERALIZED SCALE!**

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