Some girls are first noticed to have scoliosis because their dress does not hang properly on their shoulders.
In most cases where scoliosis is developed well before puberty a rapid deterioration may take place in the two to three years before the onset of puberty. But, if a child is first seen at puberty with only a mild scoliosis, then it is unlikely that her condition will ever become severe. However, she still requires regular and frequent assessment.
Conservative measures are the first line of treatment and this usually involves exercise under the experienced care of a physiotherapist, but, if the condition is rapidly deteriorating, more energetic treatment is indicated.
A plaster cast can be applied which involves the whole trunk. By means of metal clamps, and then cuts and wedges in the plaster, the spine can be made to grow straight.
There are special external braces which the child can wear to correct the deformity, or maintain the proper position after operation.
Modern operative techniques have given excellent results. These usually involve some form of internal splinting applied to the spine and metal rods and wire are used.
This may be the sole treatment, or it may be combined with fusion, or joining of the bones together.
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