As children grow and their bones and muscles develop, spine deformities like scoliosis can start to form. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to pain and health issues down the road.
For parents, it’s important to know the signs of scoliosis so they can get effective treatment for their children. With the help of a skilled pediatric spine specialist, scoliosis can be corrected, protecting the long-term health of a child.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a deformity where a portion of the spine has a side-to-side curve with an S or C shape. Children with scoliosis often look like they have uneven body parts or are leaning to one side.
Scoliosis can come in one of five forms, but by far the most common is idiopathic scoliosis, meaning there’s no clear underlying cause. It is typically more common in girls than boys, with most diagnoses occurring between the ages of 8 and 16. It also tends to run in families, and it is usually discovered through a screening or at a checkup.
William Hadden, M.D., is a pediatric spine and orthopedic trauma surgeon at Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He recently joined Sanford Health, and as a specialist in pediatric scoliosis, he has a lot of experience helping parents navigate the treatment process.
“When an adolescent is growing rapidly, parents might start to notice signs in their children,” said Dr. Hadden. “It can be alarming to find scoliosis in your child, but it’s important to remember that it’s almost never an emergency. It’s a fixable problem.”
What are the treatment options for scoliosis?
Multiple treatment options for scoliosis are available depending on the condition’s severity and the child’s overall health. Bracing and physical therapy may help with minor cases, but in more severe circumstances, surgery is the best treatment option.
“Our care team recommends evidence-based treatments for each child we treat,” said Dr. Hadden. “Surgery is a great option for improving long-term function.”
The thought of a child undergoing surgery can be intimidating to parents, but Dr. Hadden has seen many children return to a high level of activity after they finish recovering from their surgery.
“We’ve had patients who are gymnasts, horseback riders and football players,” said Dr. Hadden. “Families are often surprised at how smooth and short the recovery is. Healthy patients without other medical conditions can go back to their physical activities after three months and contact sports after six months.”
Having advanced pediatric spine care in a place like Sioux Falls benefits the local community. Without a specialist like Dr. Hadden, many families would have to travel a great distance to receive care.
“Providing scoliosis surgery in Sioux Falls keeps patients closer to home so they don’t have to travel to a place like Denver or Dallas,” said Dr. Hadden. “With the correct treatment, children with scoliosis can forget about their diagnosis and live fully functional lives.”
Learn more about Sanford Health Pediatric Orthopedics.
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Posted In Children's, Orthopedics, Sioux Falls, Specialty Care
