"The treatment goals for an early stage scoliosis intervention program should be to hold the curvature under 20 degrees during the growing years and have the curvature measure no more than 25 degrees by the time the patient reaches skeletal maturity"While there is still no cure for adolescent idiopathic (unknown cause) scoliosis, theories abstracted from current research suggests the natural course of the condition can be altered with an active rehabilitation program that targets the involuntary postural control centers in the patient's brain.
For many early stage scoliosis patients, treatment will be a necessary and ongoing process until they reach skeletal maturity (16-17 for females and 18-20 for males), and some patients will require ongoing treatment throughout life. However, the risk of progression significant curve progression in skeletally immature patients and skeletally mature patients can greatly reduced by developing a "20/25 vision" ongoing treatment plan during their "growing years" and before skeletal maturity.
➢ Under 20 degrees during the "growing years" reduces risk of curve progression by up to 46%
Current research has found that younger patients with spinal curvatures that measure 0-19 degrees have a 14%-22% risk of further progression while they are growing, but the risk increases more than 3 fold (68%) for the same patients if their increases to the 20-29 degree range
(1). Therefore, it is vitally important to halt or reduce the curvature below the 20 degree mark in order to reduce the adolescent patient's risk of progression by up to 46%.
➢ 25 degrees or less before skeletal maturity reduces risk of curve progression in adulthood by 60%
Long-term research has discovered that idiopathic adolescent scoliosis patients whom have spinal curvatures that measure greater than 25 degrees have a 68% risk of continued progression in their scoliotic curvature throughout adulthood that will cause severe pain and disability, however scoliosis patients who whose curvatures measured 25 degrees or less only experienced further curve progression 8% of the time throughout adulthood.
(2)
Morning or immediately after school: Wear posture re-training weights for 15-20 min and perform customized spinal exercise program:
25-30 min (total) in morning or after school
Evening before going to bed: Wear posture re-training weights for 15-20 min and perform customized spinal exercise program
Spinal molding program in bed 15-20 min: 30-40 min (total) in evening
Generally this routine is required for at least 90-120 days before scoliosis stability is achieved;
At that point, a re-evaluation can determine further recommendations.
(1)Lonstein et el, The prediction of curve progression in untreated idiopathic scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg AM.1984,661061-1071
(2Curve Progression in Idiopathic Scoliosis – Follow up study to skeletal maturity - Ken-Jin Tan, et al. - SPINE.2009.vol34(7).697-700