Scoliosis

From Scoliosis to the Marines: An Inspiring Patient Testimonial

A few years back, I met an inspiring young patient named Manuel Rivas. He was a determined young man, but his advanced scoliosis was holding him back from fully participating in all of the activities he loved. He recently came back into my office and shared his incredible plans to join the Marines this year. I was so taken by his bravery and recovery that I wanted to share his story with you today. As a kid, Manny was incredibly active and loved playing baseball with his friends. However, around the age of 13, he began experiencing severe pain that reduced his ability to participate in his favorite activities. He recalls, “It was so painful that if I was running around or training, I would have to sit or even lay down on the ground right afterward.” The most debilitating side effect of this pain was his inability to get enough good quality rest. Manny struggled to fall asleep and stay asleep nearly every night because of his immense pain and discomfort. Understandably, 13-year-old Manny considered sleepless nights the “worst part” of his condition. Manuel Rivas’s pre- and post-operative x-rays Concerned for their son, Manny’s parents initially brought him to

July 2, 2014

The Schroth Method for Scoliosis

Last month, The New York Times ran a very interesting article in the Science section, written by a woman living with scoliosis. In “Hope for an S-Shaped Back,” Rachel Rabkin Peachman shares her journey of living with scoliosis. Peachman was diagnosed as a child and her condition’s progression was slowed through bracing, which helped allow her to avoid surgery with a 45-degree curve as a young adult. Over time, however, her curve continued to progress, and at 38 years old she is now living with the pain of a 55-degree upper curve and 33-degree lower curve. In hopes of avoiding corrective surgery, she sought out a lesser-known method of physical therapy called the Schroth method. What is the Schroth method? This physical therapy and exercise regimen is tailored to each individual spinal curve with the goal of halting and reversing progression, reducing pain, and improving strength, lung capacity and posture. A Schroth therapist works with patients to develop individualized stretches and exercises to work towards all of those goals. Once patients learn their exercises and stretches, they are asked to practice them at home. Part of the Schroth method involves postural awareness, which encourages patients to stay conscious of their

June 3, 2014

What is Scoliosis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Scoliosis is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 6 million Americans or 2-3% of the general population. Many people are familiar with back braces that sometimes accompany the treatment of scoliosis. However, from varying degrees of spinal curvature to different treatment options, there’s more to it than just back braces – and I’m sharing a brief guide to understanding what scoliosis is, who it affects, and how it is treated. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis, simply put, is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a normal spine forms a straight line from the neck to the buttocks, spines with scoliosis curve to form a C or S shape. Who has scoliosis? Scoliosis can begin at any age. Most commonly, it develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. Juvenile scoliosis occurs when spinal curvature develops in children under the age of 10. Adult onset scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, most often develops in adults over the age of 60. Degenerative scoliosis can be caused by a gradual deterioration of discs from a lifetime of wear and tear. While adolescent scoliosis occurs equally among both genders, females are eight times more likely to progress to a degree serious enough

May 6, 2014

Understanding Adult-Onset Scoliosis

Contrary to popular knowledge, scoliosis does not exclusively affect adolescents. Many people experience scoliosis for the first time as older adults, and in a recent New York Times Well Blog post, long-time health journalist Jane Brody shared her own experience with this condition. Also known as degenerative scoliosis, this condition occurs most frequently in people over 65. In a study by orthopedists at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 68 percent of healthy volunteers over age 60 had spinal deformities that met the definition of scoliosis. Degenerative scoliosis is caused by a gradual deterioration of the disks and facet joints. This is the same process that can lead to osteoarthritis and stenosis of the spine, but causes the spine to curve to one side. In Brody’s experience, she and her son were out on a hike when he noticed that her hips were uneven. Getting shorter and visible signs of a postural imbalance are key indicators that something may be wrong. Pain from adult scoliosis usually begins in the lower back due to the degeneration and curvature. In order to properly diagnose the condition, a Spine Specialist will perform a physical exam, do a detailed neurological exam ,

November 12, 2013

New Study Shows Back Braces Effective in Scoliosis Treatment

In a recent study published by The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that despite some controversy, bracing adolescents with scoliosis can work to prevent the need for surgery. This study is especially noteworthy since physicians, including myself, have recommended bracing for decades – but to date, there has been controversy about effectiveness. Scoliosis is defined as a curvature in the normally straight spine. This condition occurs primarily in adolescents; approximately three percent of Americans at age 16 have scoliosis, usually girls. Scoliosis is diagnosed by physical exam and x-ray to measure the degree of the curve. For curves between 25-40 degrees, doctors typically recommend braces. For more severe curves, spinal fusion surgery is recommended to prevent larger problems down the road. In the NEJM study, researchers studied data of 242 patients at 25 locations in the US and Canada aged 10 to 15 with a spinal curvature of 20 to 40 degrees. The trial was stopped early due to the clear benefit of bracing: the rate of treatment success was 72 percent versus 48 percent in the control group of children who simply remained under observation. The study scientifically affirms that brace treatment works for adolescents with scoliosis

October 22, 2013

Scoliosis: When is Surgery Required?

Patients frequently come into my practice with the notion that surgery is the best cure to their scoliosis pain. How do you know that’s the best course of action? Well, that’s my job. Surgical decision making for scoliosis is multi-factorial, and we assess many different parameters in coming to the right decision for each patient. The Scoliosis Research Society estimates that approximately 1 in 40, or 7 million people are affected by scoliosis in the United States alone, making it an extremely prevalent condition. Unfortunately it most often develops in children, particularly female adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. To properly cure scoliosis, the treatment must match the source of the problem. Here are some of the main factors I consider when discussing if surgery is right for a patient with scoliosis: Degree: How large is the curve measurement? Spinal Maturity: Is the spine still growing? Location: Do you have a thoracic (upper spine) curve, a thoracolumbar (middle spine) curve or lumbar (lower spine) curve? Progression: Is the curve likely to worsen? Is the curve painful? What is your age and medical condition? Has there been prior surgery? Do you have osteoporosis? My recommendation for surgery is based

April 2, 2013