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  • About Scoliosis

    • How is scoliosis treated?

    Treatment for scoliosis depends on the severity of the curve, the patient’s age, and whether or not the curve is getting worse. The two primary treatments for scoliosis are bracing and spinal re-alignment surgery with fusion.

    While both adults and children need treatment for scoliosis, spinal curvature more frequently affects teens and kids. About 30,000 children and adolescents are fitted with a brace each year and another 38,000 undergo spinal fusion surgery.1

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    Meet Josephine

    Hi, I'm Josephine! I help kids and teens who have scoliosis. When I found out I had scoliosis and needed an operation, I had a lot of questions. Now I tell kids what surgery is like and answer questions so they can feel less afraid.

    Learn about bracing
    Learn about back surgery

    Bracing for scoliosis

    For children and adolescents whose spines are still growing, bracing can help stop a spinal curve from becoming more severe. Braces are custom-fitted and worn under clothing for a set number of hours each day. They can help maintain spinal balance and delay, or sometimes avoid, the need for surgery.

    Scoliosis bracing brochure (open in new window)

    Elise’s story

    Back surgery for scoliosis

    If the curvature is severe or getting worse, your doctor may recommend surgery.

    Surgical treatment involves implanting rods, screws, and sometimes hooks along the spine to help realign the curvature. These implants provide the support the spine needs while the bones fuse together over time, helping patients regain balance, posture, and confidence in everyday movement.

    Scoliosis back surgery brochure (open in new window)
    The spinal fusion I received changed my life and my family’s life forever. I can now do most anything I want without pain or discomfort. ”

    — Emma, scoliosis surgery patient

    Self-portrait of Emma, who had scoliosis surgery.
    See patient stories

    What happens during spinal fixation surgery

    During spinal fixation surgery, your care team works carefully to realign and stabilize your spine. The procedure involves several key steps:

    1. Anesthesia, monitoring, and positioning. You’ll be put under general anesthesia and carefully positioned.
    2. Incision and spinal exposure. The surgeon makes an incision and gently moves muscle and soft tissues to expose the vertebrae that will be treated.
    3. Instrumentation and rod placement. Screws or hooks (or a combination) are attached to selected vertebrae as anchor points.
    4. Adjustment and final alignment. The surgeon adjusts the rods and fine-tunes the curve correction.
    5. Bone graft placement. To help the vertebrae grow together into a solid bone mass, bone graft (from your own body, donor bone, or graft substitute) is placed along the exposed spinal segments.
    6. Final tightening and closure. Once alignment is confirmed and everything is secure, the screws and rods are fully tightened and locked. Your incision is closed.

    Recovering from back surgery

    Recovery is different for everyone and your doctor will communicate timelines based on your recovery progress. People who have had fusion surgery are usually back to school or work within two to four weeks.2 They can often resume the things they love to do within a few months.2

    Josephine helps kids understand surgery

    When I had to have surgery for scoliosis, at first I was scared. Would it hurt? Would I still be able to play soccer? But now that I’ve recovered, I help kids and teens with their questions about surgery. I’m even back to playing soccer!

    See my story (open in new window)

    Get answers about your scoliosis treatment options

    When is bracing recommended? How effective is it at stopping curve progression?

    Bracing is typically used in growing children or teens with moderate curves and can help prevent the curve from worsening in many cases.

    When is surgery recommended to treat scoliosis?

    Surgery is typically recommended when the spinal curve is severe, usually greater than 40 to 50 degrees, or continues to worsen despite non-surgical treatments such as bracing. It may also be advised if scoliosis causes significant pain, breathing problems, or limits daily function. The goal is to correct the curve, stabilize the spine, and prevent further progression.3

    How successful is surgery at correcting scoliosis or improving quality of life?

    Most patients experience reduced pain, better posture, and improved function. Success rates are high when performed by experienced spine specialists.4

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