Scoliosis is a common condition that can manifest itself early in life. It’s characterized by an abnormal sideways curve in the spine. Typically, the spine should be aligned straight when seen from the front or back. Sideways curves can develop at different stages of growth, for different reasons, and as a person grows taller, the curves are likely to worsen.
It’s important to correct these issues before a person reaches skeletal maturity, and it becomes much harder to do. Thankfully, there are methods of scoliosis management that can help individuals in Farmingdale, NY.
Confronting the stigma
The appearance created by scoliosis can result in some social stigma. As such, it should come as no surprise that there are a lot of misconceptions with regard to the condition. Children with scoliosis might become victims of teasing or bullying, and may suffer from low confidence due to their own self-image. Their performance in their studies and in extracurriculars and sports may be affected due to this lack of self-confidence.
Early detection and treatment are crucial in helping children avoid this stigma, as well as the stigma associated with braces, rods and other treatments used to correct the condition. When the issue is diagnosed and treated early on, children’s bodies have more time to adapt and are more flexible with their growth, allowing the possibility of complete correction.
There are a variety of causes of scoliosis in young children. Aside from rapid growth, it can also be a result of a bone defect that occurs during the skeleton’s development in the womb. In other cases, it could be the result of a nerve or muscular disorder that causes a muscle imbalance, resulting in the spine curving.
Treatment options for scoliosis vary based on the type and severity of the condition. Common options include spinal braces, observation and, in severe cases, surgical correction. Doctors will want to avoid surgical options as much as possible, because the risks involved in surgery are much greater than the risks of dealing with smaller curves that are detected much earlier. Growing rods can be implemented in children with early-onset scoliosis to prevent worsening conditions and complications while ensuring the spine grows in a straighter alignment.
Ultimately, the stigma surrounding scoliosis is largely avoidable if the problem is corrected early on in life. If you have any reason to believe your child has spinal issues or is showing early signs of scoliosis, it’s important to have them checked out by a physician or a specialist to determine what action steps will be necessary moving forward.
Interested in learning more about the scoliosis management options you have to treat or prevent worsening scoliosis in your young children in Farmingdale, NY? We encourage you to contact our team of specialists at Prothotic Laboratories, Inc. with any questions you have about the products we use to treat scoliosis in children of varying ages. We provide a variety of scoliosis bracing solutions that help patients avoid surgery while getting the corrective therapy they need and allowing them to live a stigma-free life as they grow older.