Paediatric
Scoliosis
What is paediatric scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition that leads to curvature of the spine, and is often characterised by a twisted spine.
Paediatric scoliosis affects children, and it is occasionally associated with other growth problems.
There are four types of paediatric scoliosis; congenital, neuromuscular, early onset, and adolescent idiopathic – which is the most common.
It isn’t always clear what causes the condition, but because it runs in families, it has a genetic basis.
What are the symptoms?
For children with scoliosis, it will not usually be painful, but can cause problems with body shape and balance.
It can appear as noticeable, prominent humps in the spine, rib or loin, abnormal posture impacting the waist, or shoulder asymmetry. It can impact children during adolescence and puberty, and lead to anxiety around image confidence.
How can it be treated?
It is crucial for sufferers to gain a full diagnosis as soon as they can. At Wimbledon Clinics, our Spine Group conduct full assessments before recommending the best treatment.
There are a number of treatments available to treat paediatric scoliosis, and they are dependent on the severity of the condition.
These include:
Observation
This involves observing the condition and how it changes during growth. This will determine whether future action and treatment is needed, if the condition worsens. The speed at which the patient is growing will affect how often re-examinations are conducted. Typically this will involve a three month, six month or annual review, and at Wimbledon Clinics we use the most advanced methods to assess it with low radiation scanners that offer three dimensional views.
Observation and bracing
Bracing is suitable for cases with a 20 to 40 degree curvature, and this involves observing the condition as the sufferer grows, while using an external brace to control it, keep it in position and stop it from getting worse. The bracing can also reduce the need for surgery in the future.
Surgery
This is preserved for bigger curves of the spine – 40 degrees curvature or more – and is for patients that have larger abnormalities that they are unhappy with. The primary aim of the surgery is to prevent progression of the curve, and the secondary aim is to reduce it. Each treatment is bespoke for the individual and curve. The operation can take a mean time of four to six hours, followed by five days in hospital, and requires a six to 12-week recovery period. At Wimbledon Clinics we utilise the latest techniques to minimise the numbers of levels fused and choose the most minimally invasive techniques that are suitable for each patient.
What makes Wimbledon Clinics different
At Wimbledon Clinics we have a dedicated, specialist team called the Spine Group.
Our spine team are responsible for bringing the most advanced and innovative treatments from the USA into the United Kingdom. They are the first in the UK to offer groundbreaking techniques that reduce stiffness and rigidity in the spine whilst allowing the children to grow naturally.
What makes Wimbledon Clinics different is its multi-disciplinary team, which offers a seamless experience and pathway for patients. It consists of clinical surgeons that specialise in spinal fractures, deformity, cancer, myeloma and revisions, as well as non-operative specialists, physiotherapists, pain specialists, psychologists and orthotists.
We focus on what the patient wants to achieve, aiming to avoid surgery where possible by exploring non-operative treatments, enabling patients to get back to what they enjoy doing the most.
And to find out how you can benefit from our paediatric scoliosis treatment, get in touch by calling 020 3962 1677, email [email protected] or fill in the form on this page.
We focus on what the patient wants to achieve, aiming to avoid surgery where possible by exploring non-operative treatments first, enabling patients to get back to what they enjoy doing the most.
We are constantly developing our treatment methods, using the latest spinal surgical techniques and technology to ensure you are given the best medical care available, in the safest and most efficient way.
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Meet the Spine Group
At Wimbledon Clinics we have a dedicated, expert Spine Group consisting of a team of clinical surgeons that specialise in specific areas, as well as non-operative specialists, physiotherapists, pain specialists, psychologists and orthotists.
We focus on what the patient wants to achieve, aiming to avoid surgery where possible by exploring non-operative treatments first, enabling patients to get back to what they enjoy doing the most.
We are constantly developing our treatment methods, using the latest spinal surgical techniques and technology to ensure you are given the best medical care available, in the safest and most efficient way.
Our Spine Group includes:
JASON BERNARD
Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon
Treats a wide range of spinal diseases and back injuries – from simple disc problems to complex cancer and scoliosis surgeries. Has extensive expertise in the revolutionary scoliosis treatment, Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT).
Specialist in: fractures, paediatric spine deformity and scoliosis, and myeloma.
TIM BISHOP
Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon
Practice includes all aspects of spinal surgery, including surgery for cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral pathology. Also highly skilled in performing complex spinal trauma and tumour stabilisation.
Specialist in: adult and paediatric spine deformity and scoliosis, metastatic spine cancer and revision spine surgery.
DARREN F. LUI
Consultant Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon
Specialises in complex spinal surgery including failed back syndrome, scoliosis and kyphosis surgery. Treats spinal tumours, metastases of the spine and offers balloon kyphoplasty. Experienced in minimally invasive surgery.
Specialist in: complex adult spine deformity and scoliosis, minimally invasive anterior spinal surgery, revision surgery and myeloma.
