Some insist that surgery is a cure to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). Personally, I believe saying that surgery is a cure for scoliosis is equivalent to saying that insulin is a cure for Type 1diabetes. Insulin will merely keep this category of diabetics alive, but does not correct or rid these individuals of their condition. The underlying problem for a Type 1 diabetic is that the cells which produce insulin in their body are dead, hence by administering insulin, you are merely “managing” the disease, and this should not be mistaken for a definite cure.

Hence, what is the definition of the verb “cure”?

According to Merriam-Websters online dictionary, the definitions are:

1. to restore to health, soundness, or normality <cure a patient of his illness>
2. to bring about recovery from <cure a disease>
3. to deal with in a way that eliminates or rectifies

With reference to the above definitions, does surgery “cure” scoliosis ?

Definition 1: No

Surgery will attempt to restore the normal alignment in the spine. However, following surgery, spinal mobility (in which a normal, sound spine should have) is lost for good. Hence, a scoliosis patient’s spine cannot be considered to be restored back to normality.

Definition 2: No

Surgery is unable to bring about the recovery of abnormal spinal biomechanics, altered growth patterns and sensory integration dysfunction, all of which are prevalent in idiopathic scoliosis. These are conditions that even with the latest generation of spinal implantation or vertebral stapling, one is unable to recover from them.

Definition 3: No

Spinal deformation can be reduced by surgery, but cannot be eliminated entirely. Surgery cannot be said to eliminate back pain, as many scoliosis patients do not suffer any pains prior to surgery. However, many cases reported to have developed severe disabling back pains a few years after the surgery. As for eliminating the risk of Cor Pulmonale (heart and lung failure)in AIS, there is no risk to eliminate to begin with, as there is no link between AIS and Cor Pulmonale, the only risk being in Infantile and Juvenile forms (below age 5). Eliminating the aspect of decreased self confidence, and improving cosmetic appearances – this is where I am in agreement with the fact that surgery may be of benefit to a scoliosis patient. However, this single aspect does not make it enough to qualify surgery to be considered a cure for scoliosis.

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Scoliosis Surgery – is it a cure?