If you’re a Gen Xer or an older Millennial, you probably experienced getting a scoliosis screening somewhere between the fifth and ninth grade. Scoliosis was considered as a significant health concern in the 80s and 90s, and schools conducted mandatory screenings wherein nurses checked for uneven shoulders, hips, or a rib bump. The screenings were phased out in the late 90s, but this common spinal condition continues to be a problem as it affects an estimated 6 million to 9 million people in the US. Most people with mild cases of scoliosis can live active, healthy lives, but those with a severely curved spine can experience chronic stiffness and pain and limited range of motion. What’s more, this condition may cause body image and mental health struggles as having uneven shoulders or a noticeable hump on the back can cause self consciousness, anxiety, or depression.
Back in the day, patients with severe scoliosis had to undergo painful surgery to alleviate severe pain and physical deformities. But today, the latest advances in scoliosis care focus on maximizing spinal flexibility and reducing invasiveness. These medical developments have resulted in more comfortable treatments to improve the overall quality of life of both adolescents and adults with this spine condition. Here’s what you need to know about the latest breakthroughs in scoliosis care.
Non-Fusion Surgeries
Traditional surgical procedures for scoliosis involve techniques like rigid spinal fusion, which is done to stabilize the spine and stop movement between vertebrae. To perform this procedure, a surgeon will create an incision on the affected vertebra, use bone tissue to reinforce the fusion, then attach hardware like titanium plates, screws, or rods to act as an internal splint. This results in the permanent immobilization of the fused section of the spine, which helps to alleviate severe pain, but it may also result in reduced spinal flexibility.
Nowadays, the latest scoliosis treatments promise to preserve range of motion and flexibility, which make them ideal for adolescent patients. Young people with scoliosis are often recommended to get non-fusion surgery since this corrects the spinal curve while keeping the spine flexible and allowing it to grow. One of the most popular techniques used today is Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT), which involves placing titanium screws into the front part of the spine, then attaching a flexible polyethylene cord which is placed under tension. This allows the spine to gradually straighten as a child grows, and it’s most effective when kids undergo this procedure when they’re between the ages of 8 and 16.
Another new non-fusion surgery that has a high rate of success is Anterior Scoliosis Correction, which is highly similar to VBT as it corrects scoliosis with the help of screws and a flexible tether placed on the convex part of the spine. But unlike VBT, this type of surgery can be performed on adults too, and since it preserves motion, it’s suitable for children and adults with flexible to moderately stiff scoliosis curves, as well as patients who regularly engage in sports or outdoor activities.
3D Printed Braces
Decades ago, scoliosis patients had to wear a Milwaukee brace, which had vertical metal bars connected to a neck ring. Since it was bulky, uncomfortable, and too visible, many patients chose not to wear it, resulting in poor outcomes. Those who wanted a discreet alternative opted for a Boston brace, which is a plastic jacket worn under clothing. Both braces were designed to slow down the progression of scoliosis by retraining the body to maintain the corrective posture.
Today, orthotists use state-of-the-art equipment to create 3D-designed braces, which are lighter and significantly less bulky than previous models. Instead of traditional plaster casting, orthopedic experts use 3D scanners to capture the patient’s torso structure, then the scan is imported into CAD software. By studying the scan, experts can determine where to place corrective pressure on certain areas of the brace. After modifying the design, they use a 3D printer to print the brace layer by layer, then it’s trimmed, smoothed, and fitted with velcro straps. Most patients find 3D-designed braces to be incredibly breathable and comfortable, so they’re more likely to wear it even on hot days.
Wearable Sensors and Apps
Some children with scoliosis forget or refuse to wear their brace, so experts have developed wearable sensors to increase compliance for better outcomes. Temperature sensors embedded into braces can distinguish between active use and non-active use, while wearable devices like the ScolioSense Ecosystem tracks brace fit and compliance in real-time.
Meanwhile, smartphone apps allow patients and parents to monitor spine curvature and back symmetry, which eliminates the need for frequent x-rays. Some examples of these apps include ScolioTrack, ScolioMeter, and ScolioCheck. Experts are also developing AI-powered apps wherein one can use a smartphone to scan a patient’s back to estimate the Cobb angle, which is the measurement for quantifying scoliosis diagnosis.
Scoliosis care has significantly improved in recent years with the development of new surgeries, sensors, apps, and innovative braces. These breakthroughs not only allow scoliosis patients to maintain better spinal flexibility, but they also improve quality of life by reducing pain, enhancing mobility, and halting the progression of this spine condition.
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