How is scoliosis fixed if bracing doesn't work?

If a scoliosis curve is not corrected by conservative, non-surgical, treatment, surgery may be needed, particularly if the curve is more than 45 degrees. The goal of surgery is to correct the curve and to keep it from curving more.

To do this, a surgeon will do a spinal fusion, which involves placing a rod next to the spine for support and fusing bone to the spine to strengthen it. The rod helps the back stay straight while the bones fuse properly and heal.

The surgery can be done from the back, the posterior approach, or from the front, the anterior approach. To do surgery from the front,the surgeon deflates a lung and removes a rib to be able to reach the spine.