Scoliosis Surgery

Brooke Smith
Mrs. Gong
English 10
May 31, 2011

Outline

Thesis: Scoliosis surgery is the best treatment for severe scoliosis patients.

I. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine.

II. Surgery is the last resort, but the best choice.

III. Spinal surgery is the only way to correct scoliosis.

Scoliosis is an abnormality, in children that causes the spinal column to curve or twist. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis being diagnosed. There are many forms of treatments available for patients to choose from. They type of treatment depends upon the degree of the curve.
The more severe curves require the most aggressive treatment-surgery. For patients with curves over 40 degrees, spinal fusion is the best form of treatment for severe scoliosis.

Scoliosis is defined as a spinal curvature of greater than 10 degrees. More than 80 percent of all cases are unknown in origin, but research shows that it can run in families, or be traced to genes.
According to several sources, including the Mayo Clinic, scoliosis is not caused by poor posture, diet, lack of exercise or even heavy backpacks. Scoliosis is usually discovered during puberty, but it can be noticed in younger children. More females are diagnosed than males, but both use the same treatments.
Usually, scoliosis is diagnosed by the family doctor or orthopedic. Many Middle Schools now screen for scoliosis, so cases that would have gone undetected are now being discovered earlier. The signs and symptoms of scoliosis are: uneven shoulders, uneven hips, one shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other or an uneven waist that shows the ribs turning. A series of x-rays or MRI scans will reveal the degree of the curve. Once the diagnosis is known, treatments may begin. There are many treatments available to those with scoliosis. The treatment selected will be the one best suited for the type of curve the patient has. a single curve, or primary side-to-side curve may only need bracing to hold the curve. A double curve, one that resembles a “s” may require more. A
Milwaukee brace or Boston Brace are the first choice for most doctors. The brace looks like a turtle shell or bullet proof vest. The brace wraps around the ribs from the front and is strapped tightly in the back.
The brace can only aid in slowing the curve, it can not stop it. The brace also must be worn everyday for at least 23 hours a day. The brace will not help with a thoracic curve, one between the shoulder blades.
The brace sits just below the shoulder blades, so it can not help. The brace can assist with a lumbar curve, or a lower