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Treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse. There are three main categories of treatment: observation, bracing, and surgery.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis. It occurs more often in girls than boys.
If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed and followed with routine X-rays and measurements. If the curve stays 40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended.
If the curve stays <40 degrees until the person is finished growing, it is not likely to get worse later in life. But, if the curve is greater than 40 degrees, it is likely to continue to get worse by 1-2 degrees each year.
Personally, I was braced for 10 mo. with a Wilmington jacket, had surgery to have my upper curve fused, and braced for another 10 mo. with a Boston brace while my lower curve stabilized. This all took about 3 yrs.
I'm as normally functioning as anyone (are any of us really "normal"?). I never got off schedule with school (had surgery over summer break when I was 14). Graduated college at 20 and have been an OR nurse for 16 years, one of the most physically demanding areas of nursing (lots of lifting and lots of standing in one place for long periods). I've had 2 children without difficulty (didn't even use an epidural). I like to travel (I don't set off metal detectors), yoga (though the fusion prevents some positions), and SCUBA dive. I can pretty much do anything I want…but don't tell my husband I use the scoliosis to get out of vacuuming I don't feel my rods, but my bottom curve does ache now and then, I'm supposed to take 1-2 Alleve at bed time, but us nurses are dreadful patients, so I don't do it regularly.
Speaking as a former patient and now a nurse, Shriner's Hospital/Clinic is absolutely the best place for scoliosis patients under 18! If that's your situation, question the docs/nurses if they can arrange for a visit/talk with other patients or people who will be involved in your care. Other places may do this too, but I reckon Shriner's goes above and beyond for their kids.