About Jessica's Cosmetic Surgeries

About Jessica's Cosmetic Surgeries

Why Early Treatment Of A Spinal Curvature Is So Important For Your Child

by Ross Martin

Your pediatrician has detected a curvature in your infant's spine. If left untreated, the curve can become so severe as to affect your child's development. Health problems can arise from the curve which can extend into the child's adult life. Here is why early treatment is so important and some of the current ways that scoliosis is treated.

Rapid Bone Growth Exaggerates the Curve

Your child's bones grow quickly until puberty, when the growth rate slows down. During this period of rapid growth, a small curve in the spine can grow larger, causing the typical "S" shape found with scoliosis. This causes the spine to collapse and create a smaller space in the chest cavity where other organs are growing. The lungs are especially affected and may not be able to expand to their normal size. Children with untreated scoliosis can develop respiratory problems that continue throughout their lives.

Early treatment of the spinal curvature takes advantage of this rapid bone growth. The spine is artificially held in place so it grows straighter. In some cases, scoliosis can be treated non-invasively while others require surgery to make sure the spine remains straight during growth.

The later in life that you start treatment of your child's scoliosis, the harder it will be to stop the progression of the curve. Treatment must continue up to puberty or longer, depending on the extent of the curve and how soon you started the treatment.

Non-Invasive Treatment for Scoliosis

This treatment option uses external braces to hold your child's spine in a straight position as they develop. The supports must be worn constantly, only being taken off when bathing the child. As your child grows, the braces will need to be adjusted to accommodate their changes in size. These will need to be worn at least until puberty, but your doctor may have your child continue wearing the brace at night after that to continue supporting the spine.

Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis Brace - This is also known as the Boston brace and consists of a fiberglass mold that secures around your child's body with straps. The brace extends from the top of the pelvis to underneath the arms. A mold is first made of your child's body, then modified to put pressure on the spine to hold it straight as your child develops. This brace is used to treat curves in the middle and lower parts of the spine.

Cervico-Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis Brace - When the spinal curvature occurs high in the spine, this brace, also known as the Milwaukee brace, is used. It extends from the top of the pelvis to under the chin to hold the top of the spine straight. Instead of a plastic mold, metal bars are use to hold the spine in place with this brace.

Surgical Treatment for Scoliosis

If the curve in the spine is already severe in your child, surgery may be used to prevent the curve from becoming worse and impacting the development of the internal organs. The surgery consists of a number of steps, such as:

  • The malformed vertebrae causing the curve are reshaped so the spine grows straighter.
  • One or more of the vertebrae are fused together to create a rigid place in the spine and prevent further curvature.
  • Metal rods are attached to one or two sides of the spine to hold it in a straighter position during your child's development.

Your child may also need to wear one of the external braces after the surgery to support their spine further as they grow. For more information, contact C D Denison or a similar organization.


Share

About Me

About Jessica's Cosmetic Surgeries

Hello there! I'm Jessica Goodyear. I am an unofficial expert on cosmetic procedures--mostly because I've had a lot of them done. Some people judge me or think I'm fake, but I feel more like myself than I ever have before! It all started when I was a teenager. I broke my nose playing softball, and I had to have plastic surgery on my nose so that I could breathe properly. But my nose looked different afterwards, and I liked it better! Now I save up my money to get something done every few years. Whether it's teeth whitening or veneers, a little bit of liposuction, or new cheekbones, there's something so satisfying about letting your inner beauty shine out through your outer body. I started this site to help break the stereotypes about cosmetic surgeries and to talk about some of the health risks related to them. Check it out!