Scoliosis
Scoliosis, a congenital disorder, is present at birth. This curvature of the spine can onset from infancy to adulthood. It can also develop secondary to another condition such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, or even a physical injury. Visual symptoms of scoliosis include a protruding shoulder blade, uneven leg lengths and hips, and notable slowing of nerve reaction. Physicians usually prescribe physical therapy and braces before opting to do surgery to fuse the vertebra in place. A 3-D model can be shaped into the S appearance captured in an x-ray. This enables the physician to view all aspects of the spine and the effects the condition is inflicting on nerves and extremities. A 3-D model used in conjunction with x-rays can save time in the operating room, since the surgeon will have studied the existing curvature on the model before performing the operation. This ultimately has the potential to save thousands of dollars as well.
Hi,
My mum, who is just turning 64 years old, has been suffering from scoliosis since she was a teen. However as surgery wasn’t as advanced back then as it is now, she never had an operation. Her condition is therefore pretty severe now and although she forces herself to live an active life – a real inspiration to anyone – she has been in a lot of pain the last few months.
She has had discussions with specialists at various points in the last 30 years, however on every discussion, the risks involved with surgery at her age were so high that she understandably was too scared to have it done and has always given one reason after another to wait.
She may now have to have surgery as the pain is too great.
What I am interested to understand is who the world’s top scoliosis surgery specialists are? She lives in the UK but location is not important – we will be prepared to take her wherever she needs to go to get the best help given her age. I have been told that Germany has made a number of significant advances?
I’d be very grateful for any information you can provide.
Kind regards
Emily