June 12, 2017

Scoliosis Treatment Without Surgery

erika Our Scoliosis Courses
Scoliosis treatment without surgery
Scoliosis, a condition where the patient’s spine curves sideways, can be found in roughly 4% of the global population. Of those 4%, some have a very mild spinal curve that only measures 10-20 degrees, while others are more severely affected by the condition.
Generally speaking, once a scoliosis patient’s Cobb angle has progressed past the 40-degree mark (50 degrees in some territories), doctors will recommend spinal fusion surgery as the best course of action.
Now, there’s a reason why spinal fusion surgery is the standard treatment for severe scoliosis. The operation has a good overall success rate, achieving the desired effect (reducing curvature and preventing further progression) with no complications in the majority of cases.
However, there are a number of reasons why a scoliosis sufferer may wish to seek alternatives to spinal fusion:
  • All surgical procedures carry a certain level of risk – possible complications include infection and problems related to the anaesthesia used to sedate patients during surgery.
  • Spinal fusion surgery in particular can lead to a number of other complications, although the risk is very low. Read about the risks associated with scoliosis surgery here.
  • The spinal fusion procedure tends to be followed by a long recovery period, during which the patient may temporarily experience pain and reduced mobility/flexibility.
  • Depending on where you live, there may be a long waiting list for spinal fusion surgery, and time is imperative when your spinal curvature is still progressing. (This has been a particularly big problem in Ireland recently.)
  • The long-term effects of spinal fusion surgery on patients are still relatively unknown, especially as techniques keep changing. However, some patients may continue to experience or develop pain, while others find that a secondary curve forms above or below the fused area. Occasionally, it is necessary to undergo another operation to extend the fusion.

Treating scoliosis without surgery

With the above in mind, it’s perhaps easy to understand why a number of scoliosis patients are reluctant to undergo spinal fusion surgery. So what other treatments are available?
Mild to moderate cases of scoliosis are frequently treated using a Boston brace, but this approach doesn’t reverse the spinal curvature – it just aims to prevent it getting worse, and therefore it’s no use if your scoliosis is already quite severe or if you are an adult.
However, there are a number of non-surgical techniques that have been shown to reduce the Cobb angle and effectively combat the symptoms of scoliosis. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we combine a number of these methods into our own unique scoliosis treatment programme called ScolioGold.
Here are some of the techniques we use to provide scoliosis sufferers with a real alternative to scoliosis surgery:
If you would like to learn more about our non-surgical scoliosis treatment courses, please call 0207 488 4428 or contact us online to arrange a consultation.
May 26, 2017

Recovering After Scoliosis Surgery: What Happens After the Operation?

erika Living with Scoliosis
After Scoliosis Surgery
 
Some scoliosis sufferers undergo spinal fusion surgery to correct their spinal curve. As with any surgical procedure, there are many risks involved – risks that put many people off the idea of scoliosis surgery altogether.
 
For some people, however, surgery is the only treatment available. If you are preparing for a spinal fusion procedure, you should bear in mind that surgery is not an instant miracle cure – after scoliosis surgery there is a long recovery period, and the exact results of the operation can vary.

What happens after the operation?

After scoliosis surgery, you will be required to stay in hospital for a certain amount of time, with the exact duration differing from one case to the next. The discomfort that immediately follows spinal fusion surgery is generally greater than for other spinal surgeries, and patients usually stay in hospital for three or four days after the operation, but a longer stay after a more extensive surgery is not uncommon. If you have undergone extensive surgery, or if you’re an elderly patient, it is recommended that you stay in a rehabilitation unit after release from hospital.

How long will it take to fully recover and return to a normal lifestyle?

After surgery, it usually takes a while before the patient can return to a normal active lifestyle. This is because the surgeon will need to see evidence of the bone healing first; the speed of the fusion process varies greatly because all bodies heal (and incorporate the bone graft fusing the vertebrae together) at different rates. In some cases, you won’t see any evidence of the bone healing until at least 6 weeks after the surgery.
 
During this period, the patient’s activity is restricted. Large-scale bone healing doesn’t take place until three or four months after surgery. After this period, the patient’s activity can be increased.
 
Some spinal fusion patients are required to wear a back brace for a period of time after the operation. The decision to use a brace and the degree of restrictiveness depends upon your surgeon’s preference and other factors related to your surgery.

How long will I need off work?

Time off work also varies depending on how extensive your surgery was and also what type of job you do. Downtime can vary from 4-6 weeks (common for a single-level fusion in a young, healthy patient with a desk job) to as much as 4-6 months (which may be necessary after more extensive surgery on an older patient with a more physically demanding occupation).

How can Scoliosis SOS help?

It is difficult to predict the length of your recovery period and the amount of pain and discomfort you will feel after undergoing spinal surgery – these things vary greatly from one patient to the next. However, if you wish to speed up the recovery process and reduce any pain you’re still experiencing, we at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic can help! Our ScolioGold method can help to reduce back pain, improve mobility, speed up the correction of a spinal curve, and correct any secondary curves that may have developed above or below the fusion site. 
 
Our ScolioGold programme is largely based around the Schroth method – however, unlike many other clinics, we don’t solely use Schroth exercises to treat scoliosis. Instead, we compliment it with a range of non-surgical spinal treatment techniques, resulting in a more well-rounded treatment regime.
 
If you wish to find out more about our ScolioGold method and how it can help you recover from scoliosis surgery, please contact Scoliosis SOS and book an initial consultation today.
April 7, 2017

Scoliosis Operation: Frequently Asked Questions

erika Living with Scoliosis
scoliosis operation
 
If you have a particularly severe spinal curve or are considered to be at risk of further curve progression, it is likely that you will be offered the option of undergoing spinal fusion surgery to correct your scoliosis. While it is true that spinal surgery is a major operation that involves some risky procedures, there is also a lot of misinformation surrounding the subject, which can make things extremely stressful and intimidating for those who are thinking of undergoing the procedure.
 
To clear up some of these issues, and to provide more information for sufferers who have been offered a scoliosis operation, we have assembled a list of some of the most commonly-asked questions on this topic, complete with answers:
 
Q. How severe does your curve have to be before you’re offered the scoliosis operation? 
 
A. Although there is some debate regarding the threshold for scoliosis surgery, many doctors will recommend the operation to those who have a Cobb angle greater than 40-50 degrees. 
 
Q. Does it take a long time to recover after a scoliosis operation?
 
A.  Although recovery times can vary somewhat from patient to patient, those who undergo surgery should expect to be out of action for some time following their scoliosis operation. After surgery patients will generally stay in the hospital for three or four days, although this may increase depending on the extent of the operation. Your activity will be limited until the doctor can see evidence of healing, which can take up to 6 weeks. Large-scale healing will not take place until 4-6 months after the surgery, after which activity can be increased once more. We can help with the spinal fusion recovery process here at Scoliosis SOS – click here for more information.
 
Q. Can surgery cause paralysis?
 
A. Like any form of surgery, scoliosis operations can carry additional risks to the patient’s overall health and wellbeing. This fact is important to consider before undergoing surgery, but should not be used to scare patients unnecessarily. There are several possible risks associated with scoliosis surgery, including paralysis and other neurological complaints. The actual risk of experiencing these risks, however, is very low, with paralysis occurring in less than 1% of cases.
 
Q. What happens to my spine during my scoliosis operation?
 
A. The operation used to treat scoliosis is referred to as spinal fusion surgery, and it involves anchoring a series of rods to your spine, reducing the angle of your curve and serving as a splint to hold the spine in place. Following this, a bone graft (sometimes real, sometimes synthetic) will be applied to eventually fuse with your spine, preventing the curve from progressing any further. You can find out more about the process here.
 
Q. Can I still have a baby after undergoing spinal fusion surgery?
 
A. Yes – there is no reason why someone who has undergone a scoliosis operation should not be able to conceive (unless there are other mitigating factors to take into account). In addition, most women who have undergone spinal fusion will still be able to give birth naturally, as this does not necessarily increase your risk of having to undergo a C-section.
 
Q. Is there anything I can do to improve my recovery after my scoliosis operation?
 
A. If you are having difficulties with your recovery, or are finding that some aspects of your scoliosis have not improved in the way you would have liked, it is possible to seek post-fusion therapy. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we provide assistance with back pain, mobility, secondary curves and more. Find out more about the spinal fusion recovery services we can offer here.
 
Q. Will the rods stay in my back, or will I have to have them removed?
 
A. Yes, in the vast majority of cases the rods are implanted for life, due to the serious nature of the operation and possible complications associated with removing them. Rods are removed in around 2% of cases, the most common cause for this being the irritation of the overlying muscles. In most cases, the fusion will hold despite removing the rods, although in some cases it is possible that bending may occur.
 
Q. Can my symptoms be reduced without undergoing an operation? 
 
A.  Although surgery may sometimes be the only option for correcting a severe spinal curve, it is often possible to reduce the symptoms of scoliosis without undergoing surgery. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic in London, we provide effective treatment to patients from all over the world who have been told that they require an operation for their scoliosis. To find out more about our ScolioGold treatment programme, please click here or visit our video experiences page.
 
Would you like to speak to us about how our non-surgical scoliosis therapy programmes can help to avoid a scoliosis operation? Get in touch to find out more or to book a consultation.
November 2, 2016

Scoliosis Surgery Risks: What You Need to Know

erika Living with Scoliosis

Scoliosis surgery risks

In many mild cases of scoliosis (i.e. where the patient’s spinal curve is unlikely to progress to an extent that will cause major changes in their appearance or respiratory health), spinal fusion surgery will not be recommended. For those with a severe curve (45-50 degrees or more), surgery is usually recommended – particularly if the patient is a child, as their scoliosis will likely increase as they grow. Scoliosis surgery is also recommended to those whose curves have progressed rapidly over a period of monitoring their condition, as it can prevent further progression and health complications. While spinal fusion surgery is an effective treatment for some patients – and may be the only viable option for those with severe scoliosis – it is important to consider your full range of options before undergoing this procedure. You should also take time to consider any possible risks or complications of undergoing scoliosis surgery, as is advised before any major operation.  

Risks to consider before undergoing spinal fusion surgery

  • Back Pain – In some cases, patients will continue to experience back pain even after undergoing spinal fusion surgery, due to what is sometimes referred to as ‘failed back surgery syndrome’. While the surgery itself may have been a success, this does not necessarily mean that the patient will experience a full resolution of their pre-op symptoms.
  • Failure of Fusion – This occurs when the bone grafts used to complete the operation fail to fuse into solid bone, which can be caused by excessive movement, poor placement of screws and rods, or even the use of anti-inflammatory medication. This can sometimes lead to failure of implants, which can cause breaks, pullouts and chronic pain. If there is no pain and the curve seems to be stable, a broken rod may not be removed.
  • Neurological Complications – Some complaints which may occur soon after surgery include a loss of skin sensation, loss of strength in feet and legs, loss of bowel and bladder control, and in very severe cases, paralysis. These changes can be temporary or permanent and only occur in a very small number of cases, particularly in their most serious form.
The paper Neurological complications in adult spinal deformity surgery states: “Surgery of the lumbar spine for ASD has a neurologic complication rate between 0.5 and 17% and is dependent upon approach (anterior, lateral, or posterior), number of fusion levels [and] case complexity.” This means that the more severe or complex your scoliosis curvature is, the higher the chance that you will experience some neurological complications following spinal fusion surgery.

Other possible surgery risks include:

  • Infection
  • Self-image (due to scarring)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Limited range of motion/flexibility
 

Is it possible to avoid these risks and complications?

If you are particularly concerned about the potential risks and limitations posed by surgery, it may be possible to eliminate the need for this procedure by reducing your spinal curvature through non-surgical techniques. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we have treated a huge number of spinal surgery candidates who came to us in an effort to avoid spinal fusion. Using our ScolioGold treatment programme (which combines a selection of established non-surgical techniques), we have managed to not only reduce the Cobb angle of our patients, but also provide them with a lasting method to manage the symptoms of their scoliosis.  

Post-spinal fusion surgery

We also treat many patients who have already undergone spinal fusion surgery and are seeking help to recover from the procedure more quickly. For many of our post-op patients, the primary complaint is the level of pain experienced after surgery, which can be successfully reduced using our therapeutic techniques. Another key issue for post-surgery patients is mobility, which can also be improved with the guidance and supervision of our experienced physiotherapists.

Contact Scoliosis SOS to Book a Consultation >>

October 31, 2016

Scoliosis Surgery vs Bracing

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems
Bracing vs Scoliosis Surgery
If you suffer from scoliosis and the curve in your spine is becoming more severe, your doctor may recommend that you wear a back brace. A back brace won’t directly correct your spinal curve, but it can help with preventing the curve from progressing any further.
If the curve in your spine is quite severe, your doctor may recommend that you undergo spinal fusion surgery for your scoliosis. If successful, surgery will ensure that your curve doesn’t progress any further; however, there are risks involved in this procedure.
Both treatment options – bracing and surgery – have their pros and cons. Let’s weigh them up and compare the two:

Using a Back Brace to Treat Scoliosis

If you require a back brace for your spinal curve, the first step is to have a cast taken of your back; this will be done at an outpatient appointment, so an overnight stay at the hospital is not required. Scoliosis braces are often made from rigid plastic, although more flexible materials are sometimes used for milder curves. Most modern scoliosis braces are designed to be difficult to see under loose-fitting clothing, so there is no need to be worried about them being seen through clothing.
If you require a brace, you’ll usually need to wear it for 23 hours a day, taking it off only for showers and baths; however, in some cases, the patient is only required to wear the brace at night. 
Whilst you are wearing your brace, it is vital that you maintain the strength of your back muscles and not allow them to atrophy; a lack of back muscle strength can result in the benefits of this treatment being lost at the end of the bracing period, leading to an increase in spinal curve severity.

About Scoliosis Surgery

If your spinal curve is particularly pronounced, you may decide to undergo scoliosis surgery.  The operation is performed under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be completely unconscious for the duration of the procedure.
During the surgery, your surgeon will attach a series of rods to your spine. These rods will reduce the angle of your spinal curve and serve as a splint to hold your spine in place. The surgeon will then apply a bone graft to your spine – this bone will eventually fuse with your spine, preventing your curve from increasing any further. The rods are not a permanent measure; they’re only used to hold the spine in place until the fusion process is complete. However, the rods are usually not removed, as to do so would require another large (and potentially risky) surgical operation.
In theory, surgery should mean that your scoliosis cannot progress any further and that your curved spine does not impact your everyday life to the same degree. However, like most surgical procedures, there are a number of risks associated with scoliosis surgery, such as the possibility of nerve damage, infection, implants coming loose or breaking, and / or the development of a secondary curve. In some rare cases, patients can even find themselves in more pain post-op than prior to the surgery. 

Is There a 3rd Option?

If you would rather not treat your spinal curve with surgery or a back brace, you will be happy to know that we at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic offer a non-surgical alternative to these scoliosis treatments.
Our chartered physiotherapists treat scoliosis sufferers using the Clinic’s own ScolioGold method; this treatment programme combines proven non-surgical techniques from around the world, including the Schroth Method, the FITS Method, the PNF method, and several others. We’re constantly monitoring and developing our methods to reflect the latest advancements, and because of this, our non-surgical method continues to deliver gold-standard results.
To find out if we can help you treat your scoliosis without surgical intervention or the use of a back brace, please contact us now and arrange an initial consultation.

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