How Common is Adolescent Scoliosis Revision Surgery? A study published last month in Spine (a peer-reviewed medical journal) outlined the risks for re-operation and revision surgeries after Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery. The study looked at 1,435 patients from 12 different hospitals during the years 1995-2006. 80% of the patients included in the study were female with … Read more
An article published in the June 2012 Scoliosis followed 40 patients with Adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who underwent surgical fusion with rods and hooks. Surprisingly, researchers only found a post-operative improvement of less than 50%. A further surprise, after a 5 year follow-up the average loss of correction was almost another 10% suggesting the initial … Read more
Vertebral Body Stapling – State of the Art Scoliosis Surgery? Latest Research Says Why at this Time it CANNOT Replace Modern Scoliosis Bracing or even Invasive Spinal Fusion Surgery. The current standard medical approach to nonsurgical treatment for Idiopathic Scoliosis is limited to observation and bracing. Meaning, though other treatment methods exist, patients are generally advised … Read more
tHe BiZaRrE wOrLd oF sCoLiOsIs Historical Treatment of Scoliosis The existence of scoliosis probably predates the existence of man. There is a long history of its presentation from King Tutankhamun to Hippocrates. Because of this there is a vast and fascinating history of the both the condition and its treatment. Interestingly, many of the bygone forms of … Read more
Much of the research on scoliosis surgery in adolescents seeks to outline any risk factors that may result in failure. With Adult Scoliosis the goals of surgery become different: decompression of stenosis, restoring spinal balance, and improving deformity, pain and disability. Adult Scoliosis surgery is accompanied by high rates of major complications (28-54%), readmission (11-20%), … Read more
NEW Study Seeks Connection Between Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) and Puberty Scoliosis in teenagers is one of the most frequent forms of postural distortion and it occurs predominately in pubescent girls. The authors theorize that because of this, one of the many factors that may contribute to the expression of AIS must involve a significant deficiency of … Read more
Will you pass scoliosis onto your children? Genetic Breakthrough for Idiopathic Scoliosis– What Impact (if any) Will it Have? An international France-Canada research team announced their discovery of the first gene causing scoliosis occurring in families. “To date, many genes have been suspected of causing scoliosis amongst different populations, but the gene that causes the … Read more
Nutrition is definitely an environmental influence on idiopathic scoliosis, but its exact role and impact are not completely understood. The genetic weakness that predisposes a person to scoliosis can be activated or “turned on” by something. That “something” ranges from a trauma, postural stress (e.g. heavy book bags), exposure to specific types of bacteria, or … Read more
Types of Muscle This is a technical article revealing a behind the scenes perspective on why specific types of exercise therapy is so effective in treating scoliosis. Skeletal muscle is a form of striated muscle tissue (a form of fibers that are combined into parallel fibers) controlled by the somatic nervous system (associated with the … Read more
Scoliosis and Osteoporosis A concern with degenerative or adult-onset scoliosis is how it is affected by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and scoliosis are related because they are both conditions which affect the spine. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the density or mass of bone structures. Millions are diagnosed with the condition, which decreases the strength of … Read more
Can Baby Walkers, Swingy Swings & Jolly Jumpers cause (or “turn on” genetic predispositions for) Scoliosis in Infants? From TORTIPELVIS VOL. I, by Dr. Fred Barge: From the womb to birth children begin life with their spine in a “C” curve. The secondary curves are not yet developed as is evident in a newborns inability … Read more
Scoliosis has been known to run in families. According to the University of Iowa Health Care department, “Hereditary and congenital irregularities have emerged as the most probable causes of scoliosis today.” While genetics is believed to play a role in scoliosis and despite the vast amount of research, more than 80 percent of scoliosis cases … Read more