Neuromuscular Scoliosis
The term neuromuscular scoliosis describes development of spinal curvatures in patients with pre-existing neuromuscular conditions. The most common conditions are cerebral palsy, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, Friedrich’s ataxia and spinal cord injuries. In general, the degree of curve severity and risk for progression is related to the child’s functional status, where the rates of scoliosis in non-ambulatory neuromuscular patients approaches 100%. Severe progressive neuromuscular scoliosis can be associated with significant morbidity and health concerns including:
Difficulties in daily care
Difficulties in wheelchair positioning and sitting balance
Pain
Skin breakdown
Progressive severe restrictive lung disease
Cardiopulmonary dysfunction
“Ultimate goal of any treatment for neuromuscular scoliosis, conservative or surgical, is the improvement in quality of life for BOTH the patient and the caregiver.”
— Dr. Illingworth
Treatment
Observation
Once a diagnosis of scoliosis is made routine follow up is needed to monitor for progression. We provide both standard and low dose X-ray in our office which allows us to monitor your childs scoliosis.
Bracing
If your child has difficulties with sitting secondary to their spinal curvature, and their curve has some flexibility, a brace may be beneficial. Bracing helps with improving quality of life by improving sitting position.
Surgery
Surgery is an option for patients with progressive spinal curvatures who are symptomatic. Although surgery is not for every family, surgery can provide significant improvement in quality of life and has numerous long term health benefits.
