Pain medication is administered through a special pump. When your child has pain, he or she will be able to give him or herself medication to relieve the pain.

There are several goals of scoliosis surgery. The first is to stop the curve from progressing. This is important because larger stiffer curves are more difficult to treat than smaller ones. Also, larger curves tend to be more painful, cause more deformity, and may lead to breathing difficulty. A second goal is to improve posture and restore balance. Modern spinal instrumentation now enables surgeons to achieve better curve correction than was possible with older techniques.

Scoliosis surgery does not affect your chances of becoming pregnant or giving birth to a healthy child. The surgery is intended to stop progression of the curve. Therefore, pregnancy with a corrected curve should actually be easier than with an untreated severe curve.

During the first few weeks, patients are encouraged to gradually begin a walking program. This will help to build endurance and strength. Most routine activities can also be resumed within the first few weeks. Until the spinal fusion heals, patients should avoid excessive bending, twisting, or lifting more than 15 pounds. This is usually takes about nine months. After that time most sports, such as, basketball, soccer, and running are allowed.

In about 80% of cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known.2 This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It develops mostly in children and teens and appears to be related to several factors, including genetics, as it often runs in families.

Between 4pm and 9pm, on the evening prior to surgery, a nurse from the Ambulatory Surgical Unit will call and let you know when you need to stop eating food and all liquids, and at what time to arrive at the hospital. Please remember to bring with you the questionnaire and the physical exam report filled out by your pediatrician, and the signed surgical consent form to the hospital. On the day of surgery, report to the security desk on the first floor of Children's Hospital.

Scoliosis is a sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine, or backbone, usually developing in late childhood or early adolescence. The bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Some people who have scoliosis require treatment. Other people, who have milder curves, may only need to visit their doctor for periodic observation. The section "Does Scoliosis Have To Be Treated?" describes how doctors decide whether or not to treat scoliosis.

Scoliosis has frequently been treated successfully with specific AIS exercises to stretch muscles of the trunk, neck, hips and pelvis. Stretching alone will not change the curvature and stabilize the structure. Specific isolated strength exercises for the back, hip, neck and abdominal regions are an important part of the treatment plan. The use of seat belts for stabilization has been a great assistance.

The main type of surgery for scoliosis involves attaching rods to the spine and performing a spinal fusion, which is used to stabilize and reduce the size of the curve and stop the curve from getting worse by permanently joining the vertebrae into a solid mass of bone. Other techniques are sometimes used, including instrumentation without fusion, a technique that attaches devices such as metal rods to the spine to stabilize a spinal curve without actually fusing the spine together.

Scoliosis surgery is done to a part of the spine that is more curved than normal. Metal rods, screws, and hooks are usually used to help the spine fuse. The rods and hooks are useful to help hold the fusion until it consolidates. Once the fusion is solid, the rods and hooks really are no longer necessary. However, we do not see a strong reason to take these out, and therefore we usually leave these in place.

You need to be evaluated for scoliosis fusion. There are different ways to perform this type of surgery, all customized to the curvature present. For adolescents with less degree curves, bracing may be recommended.

People of all ages can have scoliosis, but this fact sheet focuses on children and adolescents. Of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curves that are considered large enough to need treatment. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis of unknown cause) is the most common type and occurs after the age of 10. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis.

In 80 to 85 percent of people, the cause of scoliosis is unknown; this is called idiopathic scoliosis. Before concluding that a person has idiopathic scoliosis, the doctor looks for other possible causes, such as injury or infection. Causes of curves are classified as either nonstructural or structural. Nonstructural (functional) scoliosis: A structurally normal spine that appears curved. This is a temporary, changing curve.

The most common form of scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis, which basically means that the cause is unknown. Anyone can suffer from scoliosis; the condition usually begins in childhood, although too often it is not identified until the teenage years or later. Scoliosis tends to run in families, and it affects many more girls than boys.

Sometimes curvature of the spine is visible (the body tilts to the left or the right, or one shoulder blade is raised higher than the other. Some of the actual physical symptoms of scoliosis can include back pain, fatigue (especially postural fatigue -- feeling tired when standing, sitting, etc.), and in more severe cases, problems with circulation and breathing.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify and manage problems relating to the spine and the back. An initial visit to the chiropractor will include a thorough physical and diagnostic examination (including range-of-motion tests and spinal x-rays) to identify any problems you may be having, including whether you or your children may be suffering from abnormal or dangerous curvature of the spine.

There are many resources that patients can use to interact with others who have scoliosis. This website has several patient stories which provide useful information on what it is like to have scoliosis and undergo treatment. There are also national support groups for scoliosis patients. In addition, many surgeons have patients who they have treated, who are willing to speak about their scoliosis. It is important to speak with others who have been treated both surgically and through bracing.

The exact cause of scoliosis is still unknown. There has been substantial research into causes such as genetic factors, hormones, tissue growth abnormalities, vertebral body/disc disorders, and central nervous system problems.

Only a small number of surgeons specialize in scoliosis treatment throughout the United States. It is even more rare for a hospital to provide an ongoing continuum of care from infancy through adulthood; Medical City, however, is one of the few that offer a seamless transition to adult specialists.

Scoliosis surgery is an appropriate medical treatment and is covered by insurance. Our staff is available to help you manage any paperwork.

The primary goal of surgery is to stop the curve from getting worse. The secondary goal is to correct deformity.

The lengthening procedure is done by making small incisions into the muscle and tendon, through small puncture wounds on the back of the calves/heels, the muscle/tendon is continuously stretched until the appropriate length is achieved. There are no "scars", the puncture sites heal well and are almost invisible by the time the casts are removed in six weeks.

The children are placed in short leg casts at the time of surgery; these casts will be on for up to six weeks. The children should keep their feet elevated for the first 48 hours and/or up to one week after surgery to decrease swelling and pain. They may walk on these casts and most children feel well enough to be up on their feet in three of four days.

No gym or team sports for up to 6 months after surgery. At the 6 month check up (after surgery) you can discuss with the doctor about increasing your activities. Light workout - you may walk on a treadmill or use an exercise bike and participate in a light workout to maintain physical fitness. Swimming in a pool or the ocean is allowed, but swimming laps for the first 6 weeks should be avoided.