One thing that attracts people to Asheville, NC, is the opportunity to raise children in a city built in harmony with nature. There are more hiking trails, miles of state and national parks, forests, waterfalls, caverns, and wildlife viewing opportunities than one could explore in a lifetime. Getting out to explore safely and comfortably is essential for kids and teens in western North Carolina.
As the body grows, it undergoes substantial changes; sometimes, those changes can be disproportionate. A common condition that arises out of growth spurts proceeding puberty is scoliosis.
Characterized as a sideways curve in the spine, idiopathic scoliosis affects 5% of all kids in the US. Most cases are mild and require no intervention aside from monitoring, but it can still be an anxiety-inducing scenario for parents and kids.
Treatment for scoliosis can be parsed into three categories: observation, bracing, and surgery. The type of treatment recommended by your diagnosing orthopedic surgeon will depend on the severity of the curve. It is important to note that scoliosis will not resolve on its own; it can be treated but not cured.
For moderate cases, scoliosis braces work by providing pressure to counteract a curving spine. The brace removes pressure on the inner part of the curve and increases it on the outer section. Bracing does not provide a permanent straightening of the spine; instead, the goal is to prevent the need for any further action. Once the body reaches adulthood and has stopped growing, the need for bracing also stops.
The two types of braces are:
No matter which style your orthopedic specialist recommends, you will need to have the brace custom fitted. Brace compliance is critical, especially since timelines for treatment often span 1-3 years.
While you won’t be expected to wear the brace 24 hours a day, make sure you have an honest discussion with your orthopedic specialist about the activities in which your child participates, like sports.
You will be instructed for the brace to be worn overnight for 8-10 hours or full-time for 16-20 hours daily. Higher success rates have been repeatedly shown when full-time bracing compliance is over 17 hours per day.
A scoliosis diagnosis and the need for long-term bracing can seem like an insurmountable task at first, but you won’t be going it alone. If your child’s pediatrician has recommended pediatric orthopedic bracing for scoliosis or other mobility concerns, Orthopedic Appliance Company can help. We have provided Asheville residents with the highest quality custom pediatric orthotics since 1960.
Our facility and practitioners have met the rigorous standards and are certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics. For children, orthopedic bracing must grow with them. We work with you, your child’s pediatric and rehabilitation teams and their unique needs to develop braces that will work with not against your child’s development.
We have three convenient locations in Asheville, Fletcher, and Hickory, with more to come. Check to see which is closest, or send us a message with your concerns and location, and we will get you to the right place.