Scoliosis

The surgeons and medical staff of Medical City Children’s Orthopedics & Spine Specialists are on the leading edge, offering the most advanced treatment options available for pediatric scoliosis. To date, we have successfully performed more than 5,900 spine surgeries.

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We specialize in treating scoliosis from children all the way to adults.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a muscular disorder in which the spine curves to the left or right when viewed from the back creating an S- or C-shaped curve. At Medical City Children’s Orthopedics & Spine Specialists, our physicians diagnose and treat all types of scoliosis for children, from mild to severe, and offer the most advanced treatment options. Most children identified as having scoliosis may not need complex treatments, but they do need to be evaluated.

In most cases, we can assure parents that we either need to observe their child in four to six months or, in fact, that their risk is so low that they really don’t need to come back. In the event the child does need treatment, we will discuss with you and your child the options available with honesty and compassion. Our comprehensive treatment begins with the diagnosis of a child, and we follow and monitor the child’s progress into adulthood when the disease could become more severe to ensure the patient is well cared for.

The main types of scoliosis are:

Idiopathic scoliosis. 80 percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic, making it the most common type. Idiopathic means that doctors can’t pinpoint the cause of the spinal curvature. It is further classified by the age at which it occurs.
Infantile scoliosis, also known as early-onset scoliosis, develops in children, mostly boys, under age 3.
Juvenile scoliosis, more common in girls, occurs between the ages of 3 and 10.
Adolescent scoliosis makes up the majority of idiopathic cases. It’s most common in girls between the ages of 11 and 17.
Congenital scoliosis is present at birth and happens when the vertebrae fail to develop properly in utero. This type of scoliosis is rare and is often accompanied by other health issues related to the heart, kidney, or bladder.
In neuromuscular-related scoliosis, the curve in the spine is caused by a neuromuscular condition such as spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy. These conditions affect the child’s neurological system or muscular system, or both.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Children with scoliosis sometimes experience lower back pain or discomfort but most commonly, the symptoms are seen in the physical appearance of your child. They include:

Shoulders appear uneven
One hip is higher than the other
Waist looks uneven
The rib cage is more prominent on one side
Pelvis is tilted

Diagnosis

At Medical City Children’s Orthopedics & Spine Specialists, our board-certified pediatric orthopedic physicians perform a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose your child’s condition and create a personalized treatment plan. Our evaluation may include:

A medical history
A physical exam
An X-ray or CT scan

Growing up, Joy suffered from severe scoliosis which hindered her from participating in the activities she loved. Joy’s mother brought her to be evaluated. Dr. Shyam Kishan, Medical Director of Medical City Children’s Hospital Orthopedics and Spine. Dr. Kishan partnered with Joy and her family to create a collaborative scoliosis treatment plan and explained everything every step of the way. After her successful surgery, Joy is so happy and has resumed all the activities she loves, like archery, equestrian riding and biking to name a few.

Treatment for Scoliosis

After we complete a thorough evaluation, our team will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific condition. Treatment options depend on the age of the patient, the location and severity of the curve, and if there are additional health issues or concerns. We consider surgery only when absolutely necessary.

Our pediatric orthopedic surgeons use the most advanced treatment options to ensure that your child can return to playing sports, and other activities, as soon as possible. In recent years, the medical profession has made great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. Due to our enhanced recovery after spine, pelvic and hip procedures, our hospital stays for spine fusions are shorter than most.

Observation

Many individuals do not require surgery to correct their condition. Pediatric patients often need to be observed closely before and during their adolescent growth spurts to identify curves that are progressing rapidly and those that remain stable over time.

Bracing

For large curves in skeletally immature children or curves that have worsened in a child who is still growing, we commonly recommend bracing. In many cases, a brace can reduce the chance of a childhood curvature progressing to the point of requiring surgery.

Spinal Rehabilitation

While physical therapy is not shown to alter the rate of curvature progression in pediatric patients, strengthening and conditioning exercise programs often help improve back pain by strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

Surgical options

More often than not, scoliosis can be addressed with a brace, but in cases where scoliosis patients experience an increase in curvature and are in pain, surgery may be needed. Scoliosis surgeries are complex with multi-step procedures.

Should your child need surgery to correct their scoliosis, Medical City Children’s Orthopedic & Spine Specialists have the expertise to and have successfully performed more than 5,900 spine surgeries. Our expert physicians and caregivers will provide you with the care and attention your child deserves.

Spine surgery can dramatically improve congenital scoliosis, but it can be a stressful experience for the child and their family. We offer a wealth of resources about how to prepare your child for surgery, what to expect during surgery and specific ways we make safety a top priority.

Call 214-556-0590 to make an appointment.

Comprehensive services for children from birth through adolescence at four
convenient locations: Arlington, Dallas, Frisco and McKinney.