About Scoliosis & Its Causes
Scoliosis is a pathological condition of the lumbar spine which is characterized by a visible curvature at the spine.1 Normally, when looking at an individual, the spine looks absolutely straight but in cases of scoliosis the spine will not be straight but bent at an angle. This angle may be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the severity of the curve. This curve is what is termed as scoliosis or scoliotic curve. Scoliosis usually develops in children but can also develop in adults.
In most of the cases, there is no cause found for the development of scoliosis and such cases are referred to as idiopathic scoliosis. In some cases scoliosis develops as a result of a leg length discrepancy or appendicitis then it is termed as non-structural scoliosis. Such types of scoliosis can be cured once the underlying cause of it is treated.
Cases where there is a structural deformity resulting in scoliosis then it is termed as structural scoliosis. This is a type of scoliosis which is permanent and cannot be reversed by any means. A pertinent question that is asked by almost all the parents who have children suffering from scoliosis is whether this condition can be cured. This article gives a brief overview of whether scoliosis can be cured.
Some of the Treatment Strategies For Treating Scoliosis
There are basically three ways of treating scoliosis. These are:
Observation: This is done in case where the curvature is rather mild or barely visible. Observation is also done for patients who are still in their growing years. This is done to see if the scoliosis progresses and the curvature become more prevalent. For extremely mild cases of scoliosis, there is no treatment given unless there is a significant change in the curvature of the spine.
Bracing: This is yet another treatment strategy employed by the physician to treat scoliosis. The patients are given a back brace to wear to limit the progression of the curve.2 This brace is quite hard and prevents the back from changing its shape at any point. This brace may be worn only at night, or both during the day and at night, depending on the level of the curve.
Surgery: This is the final option for treating scoliosis and is done for those patients who have severe form of scoliosis and have a severe curvature of the spine.
It should be noted here that all the above mentioned treatment strategies are meant for relief of symptoms and prevent worsening of the condition and they are not meant to cure the condition in any way.
Can Scoliosis Be Cured?
Coming to the question as to whether scoliosis can be cured or not then the answer is no. The treatment that are given to individuals with scoliosis may get the spine straight to almost at baseline, but in realty the condition still persists and there is always a chance of the condition to relapse after some time.
Studies suggest that scoliosis is one of those conditions which are virtually impossible to cure. The patient may very well be treated to the level that he or she may be able to carry out their activities of daily living without any problems but the underlying scoliosis will always be present and with it the chances of a relapse with progression of the curve will still exist.
Thus, as of now there is no cure for scoliosis but yes there is enough treatment available to make the spine straight enough that the scoliotic curve may not even be evident.
