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September 12, 2008 
There are many different treatment options for scoliosis. Each will depend on many different factors, such as the degree of curvature or the age of the child.
There are three main categories or degrees of seriousness of scoliosis: less than 25 degrees curvature, 25 to 40 degrees, and over 40 degrees. Treatments can vary with each of these degrees of curvature.
Less than 25 degrees
Most children and adolescents who are diagnosed with scoliosis are found to have quite mild curves, in most cases less than 20 degrees of curvature. These children will seldom require any treatment at all, though their doctor will order regular x-rays for them—every 4 to 6 months—in order to monitor whether the curve grows worse, or progresses. They will require these regular check-ups until they stop growing
25 to 40 degrees
A moderate curvature is usually treated by wearing a brace. A brace does not actually cure scoliosis or reverse the curvature, but it can help to prevent the curvature from progressing. Scoliosis braces have a very high degree of success; by preventing the progression of the scoliosis, they can make it possible for the patient to avoid surgery over 90 percent of the time.
Braces often seem like an ideal compromise between doing nothing and doing something invasive like surgery. Of course, braces need to be worn as instructed, which usually means day and night, and the patient needs to be sure to do the exercises that are often prescribed for brace-wearers. Braces do not keep children from participating in most things; they can still do sports and other activities with very few restrictions. They may even be allowed to remove the brace temporarily for the duration of the activity, if they are diligent about putting it back on again afterward.
Of course, braces do have their drawbacks. For one thing, they can only help patients who are still growing. If a teen has reached his or her full height, a brace can no longer help them. In addition, some older types of braces can make an adolescent feel self-conscious because they protrude from the clothes to brace the head as well as the upper back. Fortunately, this type is not frequently used anymore. More modern braces are much more comfortable and are concealed under the clothes. These braces are custom-made to fit the child’s body contours and put corrective pressure on the spine through the use of pads in areas where they will be most effective.
Over 40 degrees
Scoliosis with this degree of curvature tends to get progressively worse throughout the child’s life, so doctors usually recommend corrective surgery for this type. The most common type of surgery fuses two or more of the vertebrae together along the curve. Metal pins are inserted into the vertebrae help to make sure that the spine cannot curve anymore and the curvature doesn’t progress any further. This is a very difficult surgery that includes months of recovery time, but it can be worth it if the progression of the scoliosis is stopped.
