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Parents Guide - A comprehensive parent's guide for scoliosis treatment.

Scoliosis Surgery: The Pros and Cons

Scoliosis Surgery: The Pros and Cons

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that can occur in two main directions - anterior (before) and posterior (behind). If left untreated, scoliosis can cause pain, difficulty breathing, limited mobility and spinal- cord compression. In the United States, scoliosis affects 3-5 in every 100 people, making it one of the most common deformities. Scoliosis surgery is often recommended when the curvature reaches 50 degree Cobb angle or more on x-ray and scoliosis exercises and bracing haven't be effective. Although scoliosis surgery is a surgical procedure that carries risks and side effects, the benefits of spinal fusion surgery may outweigh these concerns in certain cases. If you're considering scoliosis surgery, it's important to understand all of the pros and cons so that you can make a truly informed decision.

Spinal-Fusion Surgery

Scoliosis-Fusion Surgery is a surgical procedure that fuses the vertebrae of the spinal curvature. The main benefits of this surgery are stopping curve progression and improved appearance. Side effects may include short term and long term back pain and a scar. Scoliosis surgery is relatively safe procedure, with minimal risk of fatality. Disadvantages include the risk of infection, nerve damage, and long recovery times. If you are considering surgical treatment of scoliosis, it is important to understand the pros and cons so that you can make the best decision.

About the Surgery

For some, surgery may be the best option to correction the spine and improve their quality of life. Scoliosis surgery, also called spinal fusion, is typically done when children are still growing. The surgery is done on either the thoracic or lumbar spine, and will be performed under general anesthesia. The surgery typically involves removing part of the spine and inserting metal screws, hooks, and rods. There are risks associated with any type of surgery, but those involved in scoliosis surgery typically have a good prognosis.

 

Why the Procedure is Performed

Idiopathic scoliosis is a condition that develops during growth spurts, and can cause pain and difficulty moving around. If left untreated, scoliosis can progress to more serious conditions like spinal cord compression and cord herniation. This is why surgery may best option for people with scoliosis that has not responded to conservative treatments like braces and physical therapy. There are several different types of surgery available, depending on the severity of the scoliosis and the patient's medical history. The surgery will straighten the spine and improve back deformity caused by scoliosis.

 

Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for surgery is an important step if you're planning to have Scoliosis surgery. By talking with your doctor, you'll be able to get a better understanding of your Scoliosis diagnosis and prognosis. In addition to gathering all of your medical records, it's important to allow for a 4-6 week recovery period. This includes both the time you'll spend in the hospital and at home after surgery. Make sure you're well-prepared by taking the time to read up on Scoliosis surgery and its potential risks and benefits. Finally, be sure to donate blood before the surgery to ensure no transfusion complications.

 

How does scoliosis surgery work?

If your child is living with scoliosis, it's important to know about the pros and cons of surgery. Surgery is the most invasive and expensive way to correct the curvature of the spine, but it's also the most successful. The surgery consists of removing part of the spine and replacing it with a metal rod. After surgery, patients often have to wear a brace for several months to prevent their spine from curving again. Complications are rare, but can include pain, limited mobility, and nerve damage. If you're considering surgery, it's important to discuss potential complications your options with your doctor first.

 

Risk prevention

  • There are various types of scoliosis surgery that have different risks and benefits. If you are considering a surgery, it is important to seek the opinion of a qualified surgeon who is experienced in this field. There are also some severe risks associated with scoliosis surgery which must be fully understood prior to proceeding with any treatment plan. Make sure you understand all the possible side effects and don't hesitate to consult your orthopedic surgeon (MD) if there are any concerns related to the surgery or post-operative recovery. Potential risks may include: Implant failure
  • Nerve damage
  • Chronic pain
  • Infection
  • Bone graft procedures
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Hardware failure (broken rods)

 

Curvature correction

Scoliosis surgery can correct the spine curvature and improve your child's quality of life. There are a variety of surgical methods available, each with its own pros and cons. Today, scoliosis surgery offers excellent curve correction even in cases of severe spinal curvature. So if you're looking for a treatment that can offer long-term results, scoliosis surgery may be the best option.

 

Cosmetic results

There is a lot of debate surrounding the use of surgery for scoliosis – some people are vehemently against it, while others believe that it is the best and only treatment available. The fact of the matter is that scoliosis surgery has been proven to be effective for improving the spinal curvature and often with good cosmetic results. However, while cosmetic results may be satisfactory for most patients, some might not be 100% satisfied. This is because surgical treatment can involve pain or lower back discomfort long-term.

 

Restrictions after the surgery

After surgery, you may experience some restrictions. This will depend on the severity of your scoliosis and the surgical procedure that was performed. In most cases, patients will need to wear a brace or device for support for up to six months after surgery. However, with regular follow-up care from a qualified doctor until skeletal maturity, recovery should be relatively smooth.

 

3 Goals of Scoliosis Surgery

Spinal surgery is a treatment option for scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. The goal of scoliosis surgery is to improve the appearance of scoliosis, prevent worsening of scoliosis over time, and restore stability to the spine. The surgery may be performed on children or adults, and can be done as a single surgery or in several stages. The surgery may involve the fusion of vertebrae (bones of the spine), the correction of spinal curvature, or the correction of other spinal deformities. There are three goals of scoliosis surgery: correction of scoliosis, prevention of scoliosis progression, and restoration of spinal stability. The surgery may be successful in achieving one or more of these goals, but each patient may experience various short- and long-term effects.

 

Scoliosis Success Stories

Scoliosis surgery is a reliable and effective treatment that can help people improve their posture, reduce the spinal curve, and increase self-esteem. There are several different types of scoliosis surgery available, and each has its own set of benefits and risks. However, surgery is usually successful if it's performed in the short term, but complication rates are high long term. So, before making the decision to go through surgery, be sure to consult with your doctor and weigh all the pros and cons.

 

The History of Scoliosis Surgery Failures

Unfortunately, the history of scoliosis surgery is full of failures. However, there are cases where the treatment has been successful. Therefore, it is important to find a surgeon who knows how to treat scoliosis and has a good reputation. Many patients have several scoliosis surgeries over their lifetime - so do your research!

Anterior Scoliosis Corrective Surgery (Also Known As “VBT” or Vertebral Body Tethering)

If your child has severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, surgery may be the best option for you. VBT surgery is a type of corrective surgery used to treat idiopathic scoliosis, which is a condition that results in the spine twisting into a coil or curve. It's an inpatient procedure with a relatively short recovery time, and the benefits of VBT surgery include improved alignment (x-ray), cosmetic improvement, and maintained spine mobility. After surgery, patients may experience some mild pain and stiffness for several weeks, but these effects usually dissipate over time.

 

ApiFix

There's a new minimally invasive surgery technology on the rise – scoliosis surgery using ApiFix. ApiFix is considered to be more effective than traditional surgery techniques, with shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries, and fewer complications. One of the main drawbacks of this technology is the high cost – it's not always affordable for everyone. If you're considering scoliosis surgery using ApiFix, be sure to discuss all your options with your doctor first! Your surgeon will examine you carefully before deciding if this option is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start considering scoliosis surgery?

If you are a teenager and their adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is progressing, then surgery should be considered sooner rather than later. Surgery for adults who have mild to moderate degrees of scoliosis can often be corrected with corrective exercises and/or bracing. However, the outcome may not always be successful. For adults with more severe scoliosis, surgery may be the only option left.

 

Who is likely to benefit from Scoliosis Surgery?

Anyone who suffers from scoliosis and has a very noticeable curvature in their spine may benefit from surgery. This includes people of all ages, races, and body types. The surgery can correct the curved posture and help bring your spine back into alignment. It may also improve breathing, reduce stress on joints, increase range of motion, and decrease pain in certain cases. However, as with any surgical procedure there are risks associated with Scoliosis Surgery that must be considered before making an appointment. These risks may include infection, nerve damage, blood loss, and increased risk of surgery-related death.

 

What are the benefits of scoliosis surgery?

There are several benefits to scoliosis surgery, the most common of which are that it corrects curvature in the spine and can lead to improved posture.

 

What risks does scoliosis surgery involve?

There are risks associated with scoliosis surgery, but most of them can be managed or avoided.

One of the major risks is that spinal fusion interferes with normal spinal biomechanics and this could lead to further health problems down the line.

Another risk is nerve damage. This can happen during surgery due to the surgical instrument damage or the surgeon not being experienced in the correct surgical technique. It can also result in paralysis or loss of function.

In addition, scoliosis surgery can cause infection, bleeding, excessive pain after surgery, and reoperation due to complications. So it's important to carefully weigh all the pros and cons of surgery before making a decision.

 

Conclusion

Spinal fusion surgery is a long-term treatment option for patients with scoliosis that has not responded to other treatments. The surgery fusion of the spine together in order to correct the curvature of the spine. There are two new types of scoliosis surgery: anterior scoliosis corrective surgery (also known as “VBT”) and posterior scoliosis corrective surgery. ApiFix is a new treatment option that uses skeletal implants to correct scoliosis. It is still in the early stages of development, so it is not yet known if it is effective or safe. However, if you are considering scoliosis surgery, be sure to read through our blog for all the latest information.