Do you remember the “dreaded” Milwaukee Brace? How about the girl in school who had scoliosis surgery and sat on the sidelines for the rest of the year? Although scoliosis still is common, treatment has come a long way.

Scoliosis is simply defined as a side-to-side curve of the spine that is more than 10 degrees. Someone with scoliosis may have a back that curves like an “s” or a “c.” It is more common in girls than boys, and scoliosis can run in families.

Scoliosis is diagnosed with a simple test. It involves bending over and reaching the fingertips toward the feet or the floor. A doctor or nurse looks at a child’s back to see if her or his spine curves.

Sometimes scoliosis will be easily noticeable. A curved spine can cause a child’s body to tilt to the left or right. Many children with scoliosis have one shoulder blade that’s higher than the other or an uneven waist with a tendency to lean to one side. Small curves often don't cause problems, but larger curves can cause discomfort.

The vast majority of children with scoliosis need only observation or bracing. Braces now are much less noticeable and custom made to fit underneath clothing. In some cases, a child may need to wear a brace only at night. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin also offers support groups for children with scoliosis, so kids realize they’re not alone.

Scoliosis surgery is a last resort. It only is necessary if a curve becomes greater than 50 degrees when a child is still growing. At Children’s Hospital, we have expertise in the latest techniques. Children now get back to school and activities just weeks after surgery with very limited restrictions.

Scoliosis may seem like a curvy road, but the experts at Children’s Hospital can help you and your family straighten it out.

J. Channing Tassone, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in the Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and an assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Tassone also sees patients at the new Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Clinics-Greenway located west of I-894 and one block south of Oklahoma Avenue.


FAST FACT: Scoliosis is not painful, and early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.