1.)    All scoliosis is not the same. Scoliosis is often used as a general term without much specific information given. For instance a child who has a curvature that measures 15 degrees on an x-ray is told they have scoliosis while another child has a curvature that measures 50 degrees and is also told they have scoliosis. The first child let’s say 12 year old female has a 15 degree spine curvature with the apex of the curve at L2 with no other secondary curves and also has a pelvis which is tilted by 6 degrees. The second child also a 12 year old female has a primary curvature of 50 degrees with the peak of the curve at T9 in the thoracic spine with a secondary curve in the lumbar spine of 30 degrees with a completely level pelvis. Again both kids are diagnosed with scoliosis. The point is that scoliosis is often talked about in general terms and no specific information is given so if you are a parent starting to research scoliosis on the internet it is recommended that you keep in mind information may be specific to a case like the second child or may be relevant to the first scenario or may not pertain to either type.

 

1. 2.)    Scoliosis is not a bone problem. Often a scoliosis is thought to be abnormal bone structure of the spine when in reality all of the bones are normal. The majority of research that has specifically studied asymmetry of bones of the spine has come up empty. Scoliosis is a nervous system problem that is influenced by other factors and is therefore considered a multi-factorial condition. The reason bone wedging occurs with older patients that have scoliosis is because bones remodel in time and in need depending pressures that enter the bones very active cellular matrix. When the body has asymmetrical loading of a vertebrae the spinal bone will actually change shape over time. This is why it is so important to start treatment early to avoid these secondary adaptations which only make the problem more permanent.

 

3.)    Nothing can be done accept brace treatment to prevent progression and avoid surgery. This is probably the biggest misconception that surrounds the diagnosis of scoliosis. In fact the orthopedic surgeon and often even the pediatrician will tell parents this exact statement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Scoliosis rehabilitation involving neuromuscular training has successfully stopped progression, reduced the size of the scoliosis, and permanently stabilized thousands of scoliosis curvatures worldwide over the past 10 years. Innovation and doctors in private practice are leading the revolution to rid children of invasive procedures like bracing and surgical fusion for scoliosis. This statement is not only false but it is almost a complete opposite of the truth. Most studies indicate a significant failure rate when scoliosis brace treatment is applied and often the scoliosis curvature becomes more rigid in the apex zones and creates more permanent deformity according to some potentially ground breaking research being performed by some of the top scoliosis scientists. In addition rigid bracing decreases breathing capacity in children and may cause psychological problems. If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis regardless of the size and location of the curvature you should seek an immediate evaluation by a properly trained rehabilitation specialist.