95 lines
30 KiB
Text
95 lines
30 KiB
Text
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
|
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" class="no-js no-jr">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<!-- For pinger, set start time and add meta elements. -->
|
|
<script type="text/javascript">var ncbi_startTime = new Date();</script>
|
|
|
|
<!-- Logger begin -->
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_db" content="books">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_pdid" content="book-part">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_acc" content="NBK608500">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_domain" content="pmh_iqwig">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_report" content="reader">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_type" content="fulltext">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_objectid" content="">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_pcid" content="/NBK608500/?report=reader">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_pagename" content="Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy? - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_bookparttype" content="chapter">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_app" content="bookshelf">
|
|
<!-- Logger end -->
|
|
|
|
<!--component id="Page" label="meta"/-->
|
|
<script type="text/javascript" src="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/js/jr.boots.min.js"> </script><title>Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy? - InformedHealth.org - NCBI Bookshelf</title>
|
|
<meta charset="utf-8">
|
|
<meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="no">
|
|
<meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1,minimum-scale=1,maximum-scale=1,user-scalable=no">
|
|
<meta name="jr-col-layout" content="auto">
|
|
<meta name="jr-prev-unit" content="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.outlook-a/?report=reader">
|
|
<meta name="jr-next-unit" content="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.treatment-b/?report=reader">
|
|
<meta name="bk-toc-url" content="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/?report=toc">
|
|
<meta name="robots" content="INDEX,NOFOLLOW,NOARCHIVE,NOIMAGEINDEX">
|
|
<meta name="citation_inbook_title" content="InformedHealth.org [Internet]">
|
|
<meta name="citation_title" content="Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy?">
|
|
<meta name="citation_publisher" content="Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)">
|
|
<meta name="citation_date" content="2024/03/25">
|
|
<meta name="citation_fulltext_html_url" content="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/">
|
|
<meta name="citation_keywords" content="M411">
|
|
<meta name="citation_keywords" content="n0001.treatment-a">
|
|
<link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/DC/elements/1.0/">
|
|
<meta name="DC.Title" content="Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy?">
|
|
<meta name="DC.Type" content="Text">
|
|
<meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)">
|
|
<meta name="DC.Date" content="2024/03/25">
|
|
<meta name="DC.Identifier" content="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/">
|
|
<meta name="description" content="Sometimes, teenagers with scoliosis can wait and see what happens and don’t need treatment. But it's important to have regular check-ups to keep an eye on how the curve develops over time. If it gets worse, a back brace might be considered – like in people with more severe scoliosis.">
|
|
<meta name="og:title" content="Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy?">
|
|
<meta name="og:type" content="book">
|
|
<meta name="og:description" content="Sometimes, teenagers with scoliosis can wait and see what happens and don’t need treatment. But it's important to have regular check-ups to keep an eye on how the curve develops over time. If it gets worse, a back brace might be considered – like in people with more severe scoliosis.">
|
|
<meta name="og:url" content="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/">
|
|
<meta name="og:site_name" content="NCBI Bookshelf">
|
|
<meta name="og:image" content="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/corehtml/pmc/pmcgifs/bookshelf/thumbs/th-pmh_iqwig-lrg.png">
|
|
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary">
|
|
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@ncbibooks">
|
|
<meta name="bk-non-canon-loc" content="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.treatment-a/?report=reader">
|
|
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/">
|
|
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Archivo+Narrow:400,700,400italic,700italic&subset=latin" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/css/libs.min.css">
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/css/jr.min.css">
|
|
<meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no">
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/corehtml/pmc/css/bookshelf/2.26/css/books.min.css" type="text/css">
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/corehtml/pmc/css/bookshelf/2.26/css//books_print.min.css" type="text/css" media="print">
|
|
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/corehtml/pmc/css/bookshelf/2.26/css/books_reader.min.css" type="text/css">
|
|
<style type="text/css">p a.figpopup{display:inline !important} .bk_tt {font-family: monospace} .first-line-outdent .bk_ref {display: inline} .body-content h2, .body-content .h2 {border-bottom: 1px solid #97B0C8} .body-content h2.inline {border-bottom: none} a.page-toc-label , .jig-ncbismoothscroll a {text-decoration:none;border:0 !important} .temp-labeled-list .graphic {display:inline-block !important} .temp-labeled-list img{width:100%}</style>
|
|
|
|
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/favicon.ico">
|
|
<meta name="ncbi_phid" content="CE8B23BE7C91FE4100000000010100D4.m_5">
|
|
<meta name='referrer' content='origin-when-cross-origin'/><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//static.pubmed.gov/portal/portal3rc.fcgi/4216699/css/3852956/3849091.css"></head>
|
|
<body>
|
|
<!-- Book content! -->
|
|
|
|
|
|
<div id="jr" data-jr-path="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/"><div class="jr-unsupported"><table class="modal"><tr><td><span class="attn inline-block"></span><br />Your browser does not support the NLM PubReader view.<br />Go to <a href="/pmc/about/pr-browsers/">this page</a> to see a list of supported browsers<br />or return to the <br /><a href="/books/NBK608500/?report=classic">regular view</a>.</td></tr></table></div><div id="jr-ui" class="hidden"><nav id="jr-head"><div class="flexh tb"><div id="jr-tb1"><a id="jr-links-sw" class="hidden" title="Links"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1" x="0px" y="0px" viewBox="0 0 70.6 85.3" style="enable-background:new 0 0 70.6 85.3;vertical-align:middle" xml:space="preserve" width="24" height="24">
|
|
<style type="text/css">.st0{fill:#939598;}</style>
|
|
<g>
|
|
<path class="st0" d="M36,0C12.8,2.2-22.4,14.6,19.6,32.5C40.7,41.4-30.6,14,35.9,9.8"></path>
|
|
<path class="st0" d="M34.5,85.3c23.2-2.2,58.4-14.6,16.4-32.5c-21.1-8.9,50.2,18.5-16.3,22.7"></path>
|
|
<path class="st0" d="M34.7,37.1c66.5-4.2-4.8-31.6,16.3-22.7c42.1,17.9,6.9,30.3-16.4,32.5h1.7c-66.2,4.4,4.8,31.6-16.3,22.7 c-42.1-17.9-6.9-30.3,16.4-32.5"></path>
|
|
</g>
|
|
</svg> Books</a></div><div class="jr-rhead f1 flexh"><div class="head"><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.outlook-a/?report=reader"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M75,30 c-80,60 -80,0 0,60 c-30,-60 -30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Prev</text></svg></a></div><div class="body"><div class="t">Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy?</div><div class="j">InformedHealth.org [Internet]</div></div><div class="tail"><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.treatment-b/?report=reader"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M25,30c80,60 80,0 0,60 c30,-60 30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Next</text></svg></a></div></div><div id="jr-tb2"><a id="jr-bkhelp-sw" class="btn wsprkl hidden" title="Help with NLM PubReader">?</a><a id="jr-help-sw" class="btn wsprkl hidden" title="Settings and typography in NLM PubReader"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M462,283.742v-55.485l-29.981-10.662c-11.431-4.065-20.628-12.794-25.274-24.001 c-0.002-0.004-0.004-0.009-0.006-0.013c-4.659-11.235-4.333-23.918,0.889-34.903l13.653-28.724l-39.234-39.234l-28.72,13.652 c-10.979,5.219-23.68,5.546-34.908,0.889c-0.005-0.002-0.01-0.003-0.014-0.005c-11.215-4.65-19.933-13.834-24-25.273L283.741,50 h-55.484l-10.662,29.981c-4.065,11.431-12.794,20.627-24.001,25.274c-0.005,0.002-0.009,0.004-0.014,0.005 c-11.235,4.66-23.919,4.333-34.905-0.889l-28.723-13.653l-39.234,39.234l13.653,28.721c5.219,10.979,5.545,23.681,0.889,34.91 c-0.002,0.004-0.004,0.009-0.006,0.013c-4.649,11.214-13.834,19.931-25.271,23.998L50,228.257v55.485l29.98,10.661 c11.431,4.065,20.627,12.794,25.274,24c0.002,0.005,0.003,0.01,0.005,0.014c4.66,11.236,4.334,23.921-0.888,34.906l-13.654,28.723 l39.234,39.234l28.721-13.652c10.979-5.219,23.681-5.546,34.909-0.889c0.005,0.002,0.01,0.004,0.014,0.006 c11.214,4.649,19.93,13.833,23.998,25.271L228.257,462h55.484l10.595-29.79c4.103-11.538,12.908-20.824,24.216-25.525 c0.005-0.002,0.009-0.004,0.014-0.006c11.127-4.628,23.694-4.311,34.578,0.863l28.902,13.738l39.234-39.234l-13.66-28.737 c-5.214-10.969-5.539-23.659-0.886-34.877c0.002-0.005,0.004-0.009,0.006-0.014c4.654-11.225,13.848-19.949,25.297-24.021 L462,283.742z M256,331.546c-41.724,0-75.548-33.823-75.548-75.546s33.824-75.547,75.548-75.547 c41.723,0,75.546,33.824,75.546,75.547S297.723,331.546,256,331.546z"></path></svg></a><a id="jr-fip-sw" class="btn wsprkl hidden" title="Find"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 550 600" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path fill="none" stroke="#000" stroke-width="36" stroke-linecap="round" style="fill:#FFF" d="m320,350a153,153 0 1,0-2,2l170,170m-91-117 110,110-26,26-110-110"></path></svg></a><a id="jr-rtoc-sw" class="btn wsprkl hidden" title="Table of Contents"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M20,20h10v8H20V20zM36,20h44v8H36V20zM20,37.33h10v8H20V37.33zM36,37.33h44v8H36V37.33zM20,54.66h10v8H20V54.66zM36,54.66h44v8H36V54.66zM20,72h10v8 H20V72zM36,72h44v8H36V72z"></path></svg></a></div></div></nav><nav id="jr-dash" class="noselect"><nav id="jr-dash" class="noselect"><div id="jr-pi" class="hidden"><a id="jr-pi-prev" class="hidden" title="Previous page"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M75,30 c-80,60 -80,0 0,60 c-30,-60 -30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Prev</text></svg></a><div class="pginfo">Page <i class="jr-pg-pn">0</i> of <i class="jr-pg-lp">0</i></div><a id="jr-pi-next" class="hidden" title="Next page"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M25,30c80,60 80,0 0,60 c30,-60 30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Next</text></svg></a></div><div id="jr-is-tb"><a id="jr-is-sw" class="btn wsprkl hidden" title="Switch between Figures/Tables strip and Progress bar"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><rect x="10" y="40" width="20" height="20"></rect><rect x="40" y="40" width="20" height="20"></rect><rect x="70" y="40" width="20" height="20"></rect></svg></a></div><nav id="jr-istrip" class="istrip hidden"><a id="jr-is-prev" href="#" class="hidden" title="Previous"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M80,40 60,65 80,90 70,90 50,65 70,40z M50,40 30,65 50,90 40,90 20,65 40,40z"></path><text x="35" y="25" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Prev</text></svg></a><a id="jr-is-next" href="#" class="hidden" title="Next"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M20,40 40,65 20,90 30,90 50,65 30,40z M50,40 70,65 50,90 60,90 80,65 60,40z"></path><text x="15" y="25" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Next</text></svg></a></nav><nav id="jr-progress"></nav></nav></nav><aside id="jr-links-p" class="hidden flexv"><div class="tb sk-htbar flexh"><div><a class="jr-p-close btn wsprkl">Done</a></div><div class="title-text f1">NCBI Bookshelf</div></div><div class="cnt lol f1"><a href="/books/">Home</a><a href="/books/browse/">Browse All Titles</a><a class="btn share" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 33 33" style="vertical-align:middle" width="24" height="24" preserveAspectRatio="none"><g><path d="M 17.996,32L 12,32 L 12,16 l-4,0 l0-5.514 l 4-0.002l-0.006-3.248C 11.993,2.737, 13.213,0, 18.512,0l 4.412,0 l0,5.515 l-2.757,0 c-2.063,0-2.163,0.77-2.163,2.209l-0.008,2.76l 4.959,0 l-0.585,5.514L 18,16L 17.996,32z"></path></g></svg> Share on Facebook</a><a class="btn share" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608500/&text=Scoliosis%20in%20teenagers%3A%20Learn%20More%20%02013%20Wait%20and%20see%2C%20back%20brace%20or%20physical%20therapy%3F"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 33 33" style="vertical-align:middle" width="24" height="24"><g><path d="M 32,6.076c-1.177,0.522-2.443,0.875-3.771,1.034c 1.355-0.813, 2.396-2.099, 2.887-3.632 c-1.269,0.752-2.674,1.299-4.169,1.593c-1.198-1.276-2.904-2.073-4.792-2.073c-3.626,0-6.565,2.939-6.565,6.565 c0,0.515, 0.058,1.016, 0.17,1.496c-5.456-0.274-10.294-2.888-13.532-6.86c-0.565,0.97-0.889,2.097-0.889,3.301 c0,2.278, 1.159,4.287, 2.921,5.465c-1.076-0.034-2.088-0.329-2.974-0.821c-0.001,0.027-0.001,0.055-0.001,0.083 c0,3.181, 2.263,5.834, 5.266,6.438c-0.551,0.15-1.131,0.23-1.73,0.23c-0.423,0-0.834-0.041-1.235-0.118 c 0.836,2.608, 3.26,4.506, 6.133,4.559c-2.247,1.761-5.078,2.81-8.154,2.81c-0.53,0-1.052-0.031-1.566-0.092 c 2.905,1.863, 6.356,2.95, 10.064,2.95c 12.076,0, 18.679-10.004, 18.679-18.68c0-0.285-0.006-0.568-0.019-0.849 C 30.007,8.548, 31.12,7.392, 32,6.076z"></path></g></svg> Share on Twitter</a></div></aside><aside id="jr-rtoc-p" class="hidden flexv"><div class="tb sk-htbar flexh"><div><a class="jr-p-close btn wsprkl">Done</a></div><div class="title-text f1">Table of Content</div></div><div class="cnt lol f1"><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/?report=reader">Title Information</a><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/toc/?report=reader">Table of Contents Page</a></div></aside><aside id="jr-help-p" class="hidden flexv"><div class="tb sk-htbar flexh"><div><a class="jr-p-close btn wsprkl">Done</a></div><div class="title-text f1">Settings</div></div><div class="cnt f1"><div id="jr-typo-p" class="typo"><div><a class="sf btn wsprkl">A-</a><a class="lf btn wsprkl">A+</a></div><div><a class="bcol-auto btn wsprkl"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 200 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><text x="10" y="70" style="font-size:60px;font-family: Trebuchet MS, ArialMT, Arial, sans-serif" textLength="180">AUTO</text></svg></a><a class="bcol-1 btn wsprkl"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M15,25 85,25zM15,40 85,40zM15,55 85,55zM15,70 85,70z"></path></svg></a><a class="bcol-2 btn wsprkl"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M5,25 45,25z M55,25 95,25zM5,40 45,40z M55,40 95,40zM5,55 45,55z M55,55 95,55zM5,70 45,70z M55,70 95,70z"></path></svg></a></div></div><div class="lol"><a class="" href="/books/NBK608500/?report=classic">Switch to classic view</a><a href="/books/NBK608500/?report=printable">Print View</a></div></div></aside><aside id="jr-bkhelp-p" class="hidden flexv"><div class="tb sk-htbar flexh"><div><a class="jr-p-close btn wsprkl">Done</a></div><div class="title-text f1">Help</div></div><div class="cnt f1 lol"><a id="jr-helpobj-sw" data-path="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/" data-href="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/img/bookshelf/help.xml" href="">Help</a><a href="mailto:info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov?subject=PubReader%20feedback%20%2F%20NBK608500%20%2F%20sid%3ACE8B5AF87C7FFCB1_0191SID%20%2F%20phid%3ACE8B23BE7C91FE4100000000010100D4.4">Send us feedback</a><a id="jr-about-sw" data-path="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/" data-href="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/img/bookshelf/about.xml" href="">About PubReader</a></div></aside><aside id="jr-objectbox" class="thidden hidden"><div class="jr-objectbox-close wsprkl">✘</div><div class="jr-objectbox-inner cnt"><div class="jr-objectbox-drawer"></div></div></aside><nav id="jr-pm-left" class="hidden"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 800" preserveAspectRatio="none"><text font-stretch="ultra-condensed" x="800" y="-15" text-anchor="end" transform="rotate(90)" font-size="18" letter-spacing=".1em">Previous Page</text></svg></nav><nav id="jr-pm-right" class="hidden"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 800" preserveAspectRatio="none"><text font-stretch="ultra-condensed" x="800" y="-15" text-anchor="end" transform="rotate(90)" font-size="18" letter-spacing=".1em">Next Page</text></svg></nav><nav id="jr-fip" class="hidden"><nav id="jr-fip-term-p"><input type="search" placeholder="search this page" id="jr-fip-term" autocorrect="off" autocomplete="off" /><a id="jr-fip-mg" class="wsprkl btn" title="Find"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 550 600" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path fill="none" stroke="#000" stroke-width="36" stroke-linecap="round" style="fill:#FFF" d="m320,350a153,153 0 1,0-2,2l170,170m-91-117 110,110-26,26-110-110"></path></svg></a><a id="jr-fip-done" class="wsprkl btn" title="Dismiss find">✘</a></nav><nav id="jr-fip-info-p"><a id="jr-fip-prev" class="wsprkl btn" title="Jump to previuos match">◀</a><button id="jr-fip-matches">no matches yet</button><a id="jr-fip-next" class="wsprkl btn" title="Jump to next match">▶</a></nav></nav></div><div id="jr-epub-interstitial" class="hidden"></div><div id="jr-content"><article data-type="main"><div class="main-content lit-style" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><div class="meta-content fm-sec"><div class="fm-sec"><h1 id="_NBK608500_"><span class="title" itemprop="name">Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy?</span></h1><p class="fm-aai"><a href="#_NBK608500_pubdet_">Publication Details</a></p></div></div><div class="jig-ncbiinpagenav body-content whole_rhythm" data-jigconfig="allHeadingLevels: ['h2'],smoothScroll: false" itemprop="text"><p>
|
|
<b>Sometimes, teenagers with scoliosis can wait and see what happens and don’t need treatment. But it's important to have regular check-ups to keep an eye on how the curve develops over time. If it gets worse, a back brace might be considered – like in people with more severe scoliosis.</b>
|
|
</p><p>Roughly 2% of teenagers have a curved spine (scoliosis). The cause is usually not known. The likelihood that the scoliosis will get worse depends on how severe it is and how far the person’s bones have already developed overall (their skeletal maturity). If the scoliosis is already severe or if the person’s <a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/i2063/?report=reader">bones</a> are still growing, the curve in their spine is more likely to get worse over time.</p><div id="n0001.treatment-a.whenareregularchecku"><h2 id="_n0001_treatment-a_whenareregularchecku_">When are regular check-ups enough?</h2><p>Scoliosis is unlikely to get worse if</p><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div>the degree of the curve (measured using the “Cobb angle”) is between 10 and 20 degrees.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>the Cobb angle is between 20 and 30 degrees but the bones have almost stopped growing ("Risser stage" 3 or higher, where skeletal maturity is divided into Risser stages ranging from 0 to 5).</div></li></ul><p>In these cases, <a href="https://www.informedhealth.org/scoliosis-check-ups.html" ref="pagearea=body&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">regular check-ups</a> might be enough. The important thing is to make sure you have a check-up every three to six months.</p><p>At the check-up, an orthopedist will do a test that involves you bending forward so they can look at the shape of your <a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/i2375/?report=reader">spine</a>. They will also place a special type of spirit level (a scoliometer) on your back. If the results suggest that the scoliosis has got worse, you will usually need to have an x-ray to measure the Cobb angle again. If the angle has increased, it’s still possible to start treatment then.</p><div class="graphic"><img src="/books/NBK608500/bin/en_wirbelsaeule_skoliose_cobb-winkel.jpg" alt="Illustration: How the Cobb angle is measured" /></div><p>How the Cobb angle is measured</p></div><div id="n0001.treatment-a.whenisabackbracereco"><h2 id="_n0001_treatment-a_whenisabackbracereco_">When is a back brace recommended?</h2><p><a href="https://www.informedhealth.org/back-braces-frequently-asked-questions.html" ref="pagearea=body&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">Orthopedic back braces</a> can prevent scoliosis from getting worse by putting pressure on certain parts of the spine. Most braces are plastic and made to measure. At the points where they apply pressure, they are padded on the inside.</p><p>A brace is recommended if</p><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div>the Cobb angle is between 20 and 40 degrees and increases by more than 5 degrees between two check-ups or</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>the Cobb angle is between 25 and 50 degrees.</div></li></ul><p>The recommendations vary for teenagers</p><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div>with a Cobb angle between 20 and 25 degrees,</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>whose scoliosis hasn't got worse and</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>whose bones are still not fully mature (Risser stages 0 to 2).</div></li></ul><p>In these cases, some experts recommend a back brace. Others favor regular check-ups and only recommend a brace if the curve gets worse.</p><div class="graphic"><img src="/books/NBK608500/bin/skoliose_korsettjpg.jpg" alt="Illustration: A back brace for treating scoliosis" /></div><p>A back brace for treating scoliosis</p></div><div id="n0001.treatment-a.canphysicaltherapyhe"><h2 id="_n0001_treatment-a_canphysicaltherapyhe_">Can physical therapy help?</h2><p>Doctors usually recommend <a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/i3565/?report=reader">physical therapy</a> (physiotherapy) for people with scoliosis. Certain types of physical therapy, like the Schroth method, were developed especially for scoliosis. They include various exercises to straighten the spine – such as posture and stretching exercises, exercises for particular groups of muscles and special breathing exercises.</p><p>The exact exercises the physical therapist chooses for you will depend on the severity and form of your scoliosis. They show you how to do the exercises so that you can do them regularly at home – ideally in front of a mirror to make sure you’re doing them correctly.</p><p>Schroth therapy is offered as an outpatient treatment in physical therapy practices and at specialized rehabilitation centers – usually as part of longer-term treatment.</p><p>There is little high-quality research on whether physical therapy helps in scoliosis. This research suggests that the exercises can improve the curve of the spine and your quality of life somewhat. But it’s not clear whether this is enough to avoid the need for a brace or to prevent <a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/i2378/?report=reader">back pain</a>, for instance.</p><p>If a brace is needed, physical therapy and exercise can help. But they shouldn’t be seen as an alternative to the brace. A brace is a passive form of treatment. It supports the muscles rather than strengthening them. So it’s important to stay active and do exercise. Physical therapy can also be a good idea after having <a href="https://www.informedhealth.org/surgery-for-scoliosis.html" ref="pagearea=body&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">surgery</a>.</p></div><div id="n0001.treatment-a.gi-sources.9"><h2 id="_n0001_treatment-a_gi-sources_9_">Sources</h2><ul class="simple-list"><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.ref1.9">Ceballos-Laita L, Carrasco-Uribarren A, Cabanillas-Barea S et al. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36692412" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">The effectiveness of Schroth method in Cobb angle, quality of life and trunk rotation angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis</a>. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2023; 59(2): 228-236. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC10170402/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC10170402</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36692412" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 36692412</span></a>]</div></p></li><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.ref2.9">Dunn J, Henrikson NB, Morrison CC et al. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29638297" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">Screening for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force</a> (AHRQ Evidence Syntheses; No. 156). 2018.</div></p></li><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.ref3.9">Gamiz-Bermudez F, Obrero-Gaitan E, Zagalaz-Anula N et al. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34962437" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">Corrective exercise-based therapy for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis</a>. Clin Rehabil 2022; 36(5): 597-608. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34962437" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 34962437</span></a>]</div></p></li><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.ref4.9">Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J et al. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26086959" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents</a>. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; (6): CD006850. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC10616811/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC10616811</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26086959" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 26086959</span></a>]</div></p></li><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.ref5.9">Thompson JY, Williamson EM, Williams MA et al. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30824243" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=uri">Effectiveness of scoliosis-specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis compared with other non-surgical interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis</a>. Physiotherapy 2019; 105(2): 2014-2034. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30824243" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&targetsite=entrez&targetcat=link&targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 30824243</span></a>]</div></p></li><li class="half_rhythm"><p><div class="bk_ref" id="n0001.treatment-a.gi-sources-disclaimer"><p id="p-25">IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services.</p><p id="p-26">Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. informedhealth.org can provide support for talks with doctors and other medical professionals, but cannot replace them. We do not offer individual consultations.</p><p id="p-27">Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.</p></div></p></li></ul></div><div id="bk_toc_contnr"></div></div></div><div class="fm-sec"><h2 id="_NBK608500_pubdet_">Publication Details</h2><h3>Publication History</h3><p class="small">Last Update: <span itemprop="dateModified">March 25, 2024</span>; Next update: 2027.</p><h3>Copyright</h3><div><div class="half_rhythm">© IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health
|
|
Care)</div></div><h3>Publisher</h3><p><a href="https://www.informedhealth.org/" ref="pagearea=page-banner&targetsite=external&targetcat=link&targettype=publisher">Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)</a>, Cologne, Germany</p><h3>NLM Citation</h3><p>InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Scoliosis in teenagers: Learn More – Wait and see, back brace or physical therapy? [Updated 2024 Mar 25].<span class="bk_cite_avail"></span></p></div><div class="small-screen-prev"><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.outlook-a/?report=reader"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M75,30 c-80,60 -80,0 0,60 c-30,-60 -30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Prev</text></svg></a></div><div class="small-screen-next"><a href="/books/n/pmh_iqwig/n0001.treatment-b/?report=reader"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 100 100" preserveAspectRatio="none"><path d="M25,30c80,60 80,0 0,60 c30,-60 30,0 0,-60"></path><text x="20" y="28" textLength="60" style="font-size:25px">Next</text></svg></a></div></article></div><div id="jr-scripts"><script src="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/js/libs.min.js"> </script><script src="/corehtml/pmc/jatsreader/ptpmc_3.22/js/jr.min.js"> </script></div></div>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- Book content -->
|
|
|
|
<script type="text/javascript" src="/portal/portal3rc.fcgi/rlib/js/InstrumentNCBIBaseJS/InstrumentPageStarterJS.js"> </script>
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- CE8B5AF87C7FFCB1_0191SID /projects/books/PBooks@9.11 portal104 v4.1.r689238 Tue, Oct 22 2024 16:10:51 -->
|
|
<span id="portal-csrf-token" style="display:none" data-token="CE8B5AF87C7FFCB1_0191SID"></span>
|
|
|
|
<script type="text/javascript" src="//static.pubmed.gov/portal/portal3rc.fcgi/4216699/js/3968615.js" snapshot="books"></script></body>
|
|
</html>
|