Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome depends on the cause, location, and severity of the curve. The greater the curve, the greater the chance the curve will get worse after growth has stopped.
Mild cases treated with bracing alone do very well. People with these kinds of conditions tend not to have long-term problems, except maybe an increased rate of low back pain when they get older. People with surgically corrected idiopathic scoliosis also do very well and can lead active, healthy lives.
Patients with neuromuscular scoliosis have another serious disorder (like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy) so their goals are much different. Often the goal of surgery is simply to allow a child to be able to sit upright in a wheelchair.
Babies with congenital scoliosis have a wide variety of underlying birth defects. Management of this disease is difficult and often requires many surgeries.
Complications
- Emotional problems or lowered self-esteem may occur as a result of the condition or its treatment (specifically bracing)
- Spinal cord or nerve damage from surgery or severe, uncorrected curve
- Failure of the bone to join together (very rare in idiopathic scoliosis)
- Spine infection after surgery
- Low back arthritis and pain as an adult
- Respiratory problems from severe curve
Calling your health care provider
Call your child's health care provider if you suspect that he or she may have scoliosis.
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