Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being straight. The spine also may be twisted. The main type of surgery is a spinal fusion. The curved part of the backbone is straightened with rods, wires, hooks, or screws. Then small pieces of bone are put over the spine. These pieces of bone will grow together, or fuse, with the spine, holding it in the proper position. Instrumentation without fusion is another type of surgery to straighten the spine. The doctor attaches metal rods to the spine without fusing the bones together. This is only done in younger children who are still growing. It's used when doctors don't want to fuse bones together because it would stop growth in that area of the spine. The child usually has to wear a brace full-time after having this surgery. Surgery usually can improve the curve and keep it from getting worse. Surgery may also help decrease pain and allow your child to do more daily activities. Each child's scoliosis is different. Talk to your child's doctor about whether surgery can help. Risks of surgery to fix a spinal curve include: Talk to your doctor about your child's chances of having problems from surgery. Other problems include lost time at school or at work for recovery and the possible need to wear a body cast or brace for a few months after surgery. A moderate to severe spinal curve that is getting worse and is not fixed with surgery is likely to keep getting worse. As scoliosis gets worse, the bones of the spine move toward the inside of the curve. If it happens in the upper part of the spine, the ribs may crowd together on one side and spread apart on the other side. The curve may force the spinal bones closer together. The spinal bones on the outer edge of the curve may also get thick. In severe curves, the ribs that are pulled out of position may reduce the amount of air the lungs can hold. They also may cause the heart to work harder to pump blood through the compressed lung tissue. Over time, this may lead to breathing problems and heart failure. Scoliosis that is present at birth or that occurs in infants may be worse over time than a spine that curves later in life. If an infant or young child with a severe spinal curve does not have surgery, it is likely that the curve will get worse. This is because the curve gets worse as the child grows. Your doctor might suggest surgery for your child if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. My daughter was diagnosed with a mild to moderate spinal curve when she was 16 years old. Tests showed that she was almost done growing, and her doctor said it was likely that the curve would not get worse. We were relieved because we didn't want her to have surgery, but of course we didn't want her to have problems with her back as she got older. Mother of Linda, age 17 When my daughter was in the sixth grade, we looked at her back and saw that her shoulders were not even. Her doctor examined her and took X-rays of her spine. To our shock and surprise, she had a large spinal curve. Because of her age, the fact that she was just starting her teenage growth spurt, and the size of her spinal curve, it was likely that her spinal curve would get worse. We decided that surgery would provide the best chance for stopping the curve from growing and for stabilizing her spine. Father of Marta, age 14 My daughter's doctor says her scoliosis curve is moderate and surgery might keep it from getting worse. But surgery scares me, and the scoliosis isn't bothering her. I'd rather take her to regular checkups for a while and see if the curve gets worse. Mother of Sarah, age 12 We had a long talk about surgery. My 13-year-old really misses playing sports and wants to be in the best shape possible when older. So it's important to me too. We're choosing surgery. Parent of Casy, age 13 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to schedule surgery for scoliosis Reasons not to schedule surgery for scoliosis I want to get rid of my child's back pain. Exercise and over-the-counter medicine work well to control my child's pain. A curved spine keeps my child from doing a lot of the activities they like. My child is still able to do the things they like to do. I worry that my child's spine will get worse as they grow. I would rather wait and see if my child's spine gets worse as they grow. My child can take a time off from school or work to recover from the surgery. My child can't take a lot of time off right now to recover from the surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Surgery Waiting Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine. The spine curves from side to side in an "S" or "C" shape rather than being straight. The spine also may be twisted. The main type of surgery is a spinal fusion. The curved part of the backbone is straightened with rods, wires, hooks, or screws. Then small pieces of bone are put over the spine. These pieces of bone will grow together, or fuse, with the spine, holding it in the proper position. Instrumentation without fusion is another type of surgery to straighten the spine. The doctor attaches metal rods to the spine without fusing the bones together. This is only done in younger children who are still growing. It's used when doctors don't want to fuse bones together because it would stop growth in that area of the spine. The child usually has to wear a brace full-time after having this surgery. Surgery usually can improve the curve and keep it from getting worse. Surgery may also help decrease pain and allow your child to do more daily activities. Each child's scoliosis is different. Talk to your child's doctor about whether surgery can help. Risks of surgery to fix a spinal curve include: Talk to your doctor about your child's chances of having problems from surgery. Other problems include lost time at school or at work for recovery and the possible need to wear a body cast or brace for a few months after surgery. A moderate to severe spinal curve that is getting worse and is not fixed with surgery is likely to keep getting worse. As scoliosis gets worse, the bones of the spine move toward the inside of the curve. If it happens in the upper part of the spine, the ribs may crowd together on one side and spread apart on the other side. The curve may force the spinal bones closer together. The spinal bones on the outer edge of the curve may also get thick. In severe curves, the ribs that are pulled out of position may reduce the amount of air the lungs can hold. They also may cause the heart to work harder to pump blood through the compressed lung tissue. Over time, this may lead to breathing problems and heart failure. Scoliosis that is present at birth or that occurs in infants may be worse over time than a spine that curves later in life. If an infant or young child with a severe spinal curve does not have surgery, it is likely that the curve will get worse. This is because the curve gets worse as the child grows. Your doctor might suggest surgery for your child if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "My daughter was diagnosed with a mild to moderate spinal curve when she was 16 years old. Tests showed that she was almost done growing, and her doctor said it was likely that the curve would not get worse. We were relieved because we didn't want her to have surgery, but of course we didn't want her to have problems with her back as she got older." — Mother of Linda, age 17 "When my daughter was in the sixth grade, we looked at her back and saw that her shoulders were not even. Her doctor examined her and took X-rays of her spine. To our shock and surprise, she had a large spinal curve. Because of her age, the fact that she was just starting her teenage growth spurt, and the size of her spinal curve, it was likely that her spinal curve would get worse. We decided that surgery would provide the best chance for stopping the curve from growing and for stabilizing her spine." — Father of Marta, age 14 "My daughter's doctor says her scoliosis curve is moderate and surgery might keep it from getting worse. But surgery scares me, and the scoliosis isn't bothering her. I'd rather take her to regular checkups for a while and see if the curve gets worse." — Mother of Sarah, age 12 "We had a long talk about surgery. My 13-year-old really misses playing sports and wants to be in the best shape possible when older. So it's important to me too. We're choosing surgery." — Parent of Casy, age 13 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to schedule surgery for scoliosis Reasons not to schedule surgery for scoliosis I want to get rid of my child's back pain. Exercise and over-the-counter medicine work well to control my child's pain. A curved spine keeps my child from doing a lot of the activities they like. My child is still able to do the things they like to do. I worry that my child's spine will get worse as they grow. I would rather wait and see if my child's spine gets worse as they grow. My child can take a time off from school or work to recover from the surgery. My child can't take a lot of time off right now to recover from the surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Surgery Waiting 1.
If your child has any amount of spinal curve, should you schedule surgery? 2.
Can a brace help keep a child's spinal curve from getting worse? 3.
Should you consider surgery if your child's moderate curve is getting worse? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: July 17, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardScoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is scoliosis?
What kind of surgery can fix a spinal curve?
How can surgery help?
What are the risks of surgery?
What are the risks of not having surgery?
Why might your doctor recommend surgery to fix scoliosis?
Compare your options
Personal stories about surgery for scoliosis
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is scoliosis?
What kind of surgery can fix a spinal curve?
How can surgery help?
What are the risks of surgery?
What are the risks of not having surgery?
Why might your doctor recommend surgery to fix scoliosis?
2. Compare your options
Schedule surgery Don't schedule surgery What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about surgery for scoliosis
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Schedule surgery Schedule surgery
Don't schedule surgery Don't schedule surgery
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Leaning toward
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Somewhat sure
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
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Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. Surgery is recommended only for severe spinal curve. Most spinal curves are not bad enough to need surgery.
That's right. A brace can keep a child's spinal curve from getting worse.
That's right. Doctors usually recommend surgery if a moderate spinal curve is getting worse, or for a severe curve.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits