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Surgery is no cure for scoliosis.

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by
Dr Kalla
on 06-10-2009 at 02:34 AM (531 Views)
To follow up on my previous blog post “Scoliosis Surgery – Is it a cure?“, I had to write this after reading this a paper [21] stating the following.

“It is very difficult to know precisely what the natural history of untreated surgical idiopathic scoliosis is, because most patients have surgical treatment of their curves when the Cobb measurement exceeds 50°. The only way of definitively proving that the natural history of surgical treatment of idiopathic scoliosis is better than untreated scoliosis would be to undertake a study involving a prospective, randomized group of patients with curves more than 50°, treated surgically with modern-day instrumentation and then compare the results with those of a similar group of untreated patients matched for age, deformity, and other parameters. Those two groups of patients would then have to be followed up in 10-year intervals to determine their relative function, pain and cosmetic appearance. No such study exists. If it were possible, it would take between 20 and 40 years to obtain a definitive answer.”

This was written by a man that is considered very credible in the world of spinal surgeons; Keith H. Bridwell, MD a past President of SRS and it was published in SPINE.

Dr. Bridwell is also the Asa C. and Dorothy W. Jones Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, and he is Chief of Pediatric and Adult Spinal Surgery in the Orthopaedic Department at Washington University in St. Louis.

He also stated:
“Many surgeons feel that 50° is the surgical tidemark for treating idiopathic scoliosis … This “magic number” comes in part as an extrapolation from … studies of natural history and in part that most 50° curves are very visible cosmetically.”

21. Bridwell KH.
Surgical treatment of idiopathic adolescent scoliosis.
Spine. 1999 Dec 15;24(24):2607-16. Review.
Categories
Personal Reflection , Science Talking

Comments

  1. Tracey Lynam - 06-07-2010 11:07 AM
    Tracey Lynam's Avatar
    Please look at www.scoliosis.org.uk
    I found this statement on this site. There is no RELIABLE evidence that suggests osteopathy ,chiropratic ,physiotherapy, reflexology,accupuncture neurostimulation etc can make any difference to a potentialy increasing spinl curvature. However these complimentry techniques can be useful if pain is present... See more.If you are told that an established curvature can be cured by any of these techniques do not accept this as true.It is certainly true tht many mild curvatures will not increase what ever is done since the natural history ( what would happen if a curve was left untreated? ) is very variable.Only SURGERY and SOMETIMES BRACING can substationaly affect the natural history of the curve
  2. Dr Kalla - 06-07-2010 11:33 AM
    Dr Kalla's Avatar
    Hi Tracey Lynam.

    It takes time for research papers to mount up provide evidence that SAUK is looking for. But working with patients and seeing work done by my colleagues I can certainly say that scoliosis can be dramatically improved with correct non surgical methods. Here is a case that I managed to correct, presented in this thread 'Scoliosis treatment - What do you think'
  3. DrStitzel - 07-18-2010 03:32 PM
    DrStitzel's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Tracey Lynam
    Please look at www.scoliosis.org.uk
    I found this statement on this site. There is no RELIABLE evidence that suggests osteopathy ,chiropratic ,physiotherapy, reflexology,accupuncture neurostimulation etc can make any difference to a potentialy increasing spinl curvature. However these complimentry techniques can be useful if pain is present... See more.If you are told that an established curvature can be cured by any of these techniques do not accept this as true.It is certainly true tht many mild curvatures will not increase what ever is done since the natural history ( what would happen if a curve was left untreated? ) is very variable.Only SURGERY and SOMETIMES BRACING can substationaly affect the natural history of the curve
    Hi Tracey,

    I looks like you have given up on trying to find a better way. Sad to watch. I guess the scoliosis has won in your case. I'm truly sorry to see this happen to the human spirit.

    We will continue working and pushing ahead in hopes that others won't continue to give up along the way as well.

    Best of luck in the future.