Scoliosis Management for Primary Care Practitioners

Abstract

For many families, the possibility that their child may have scoliosis causes great anxiety because their child may be deformed for life, may need to wear a brace for years, or may need to undergo a large and dangerous operation. For most families, these fears are groundless. Up to 3% of the population has a spinal curvature, most of which are small curves that may not need referral or repeated imaging. Many adolescents with scoliosis do well and do not need to wear a brace or have surgery.