Our pediatrician found a 12-degree scoliosis (curve) in our daughter's spine. She wants to just keep an eye on it. No bracing or surgery is advised. Is this the best approach?
Your pediatrician is following the current best practice guidelines known. These are based on the latest research. Scoliosis less than 25 degrees is observed carefully and watched for rapid change or progression (getting worse).
In the past, exercises were not found to be helpful with scoliosis. Today, newer studies may have found a more effective way to use exercise with mild scoliosis. And whereas bracing was initiated with the curve was between 35 and 45 degrees, newer research suggests bracing at 25-degrees may be better.
New studies are coming out that can compare the results of one brace against another. They are using some standard criteria for patient selection. They also applied standard study methods from study to study.
Better brace designs also means better patient compliance. In other words, with a more comfortable, better looking brace, children are more likely to wear the brace enough to see a difference.
Today's studies indicate that the use of bracing in smaller curves (25 to 25 degrees) has a better outcome compared to waiting until the curve is 25 degrees or more. Your chances of avoiding surgery for a progressive curve are better if treatment with bracing is started sooner than later.
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