What is the treatment for kyphosis?

The spine is a complex bone tissue that plays a very important role in the human body because it is responsible for the mobility of the upper body and supports the weight of the upper body, allowing people to complete various complex movements. The health of the spine is an issue that people are very concerned about, because once a spinal disease occurs, it will affect the entire body, causing the patient to be unable to work and study normally. For example, spinal bulge is a common symptom that brings great pain to people's bodies and requires immediate treatment. Let's take a look at how to treat spinal bulge.

Treatment for scoliosis can be divided into two major categories, namely non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment.

Common non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, gymnastics, plaster, braces, etc., but the most important and reliable method is brace therapy.

Generally, idiopathic scoliosis within 20 degrees can be left untreated and closely observed. If it worsens by more than 5 degrees each year, brace treatment should be performed. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis of 30 to 40 degrees at the first visit should be treated with bracing immediately, because more than 60% of this group of patients will develop worsening curvature.

Surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should be considered in the following situations:

(1) Those with thoracic curvature greater than 40 degrees and thoracolumbar curvature/lumbar curvature greater than 35 degrees;

(2) Patients whose scoliosis cannot be controlled by brace treatment and progresses rapidly;

(3) Those with obvious back pain or symptoms of nerve compression.

For patients with congenital scoliosis, if the scoliosis is of the type that is prone to progression or if the scoliosis progresses significantly during the observation period, surgical treatment should be performed as early as possible. Generally, 3 to 5 years old is a good time for surgery.

Because the causes of scoliosis are complex and there are many types, whether surgery is needed is not simply based on the patient's age or degree of scoliosis. Factors such as the type, characteristics, segment, progression rate of the deformity, the patient's bone age development, and the degree of impact of the deformity on the patient's body shape should also be considered. It is a consensus that progressive congenital scoliosis should be treated with surgery early, because with age, not only does the deformity worsen, but it also becomes stiff and difficult to correct. However, if idiopathic scoliosis undergoes posterior correction and fusion too early in childhood, it may affect the growth and development of the spine, and the deformity is likely to worsen in the long term. Additionally, factors such as spinal balance and the effects of surgery on spinal growth and mobility must be considered. Therefore, each patient with scoliosis should be specifically analyzed and individualized treatment measures should be taken.