Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Treatment
Scoliosis is a common spine condition where there’s a curvature of the spine, specifically when the curvature can be seen from the front or back. There are various forms of scoliosis that can impact people at different stages of their lives. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is one of the more commonly known forms of this spine condition, affecting the growth of the spine in children. Our spine specialists at DOCS Health offer adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treatment at our medical center in Los Angeles.
Idiopathic, or adolescent, scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis. It is more common in females and can affect up to 2% of the U.S. population. The curve magnitude is usually worsened during the pubertal growth spurt. In order for a physician to diagnose and treat idiopathic scoliosis, he or she must first rule out all other causes of scoliosis. Most idiopathic curves that present in adolescence are painless, but they may gradually increase in magnitude over time and become symptomatic. Our doctors provide the necessary long-term follow-up and serial evaluations, both clinically and radiographically, in these patients.
AIS Non-Surgical and Surgical Treatments
AIS diagnosis is vital to begin treatment as early as possible. In many cases, non-surgical treatments including external braces and physical therapy can be effective in managing AIS. Only in severe cases where the spinal curve is 40-50 degrees or more is surgery considered to straighten the spine to relieve pain and reduce risk of organ damage. Surgery for AIS usually involves a spinal fusion, which uses surgical hardware to secure the spine while bone grafts adhere to the vertebrae to create a solid, straighter spine.
If your child has evidence of a curving spine or has been diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), treatment is available at DOCS Health. Contact our clinic in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation with one of our spine surgeons to discuss treatment options.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.