Consults for spinal disorders and scoliosis are available at Miami Children’s Hospital, The Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center and the Miami Children’s Hospital Nicklaus Care Center.
For more information about Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders at Miami Children's Hospital, or to make an appointment, please call (305) 662-8366.
Straight Facts about Scoliosis:
Answers to your scoliosis questions.
The spine has a natural "S" curve when viewed from the side. The spine is straight when seen from the back. When the spine develops curves to the left of right, scoliosis may be present.
Who is at risk for scoliosis?
Approximately one to two percent of children ages 9 to 14 are diagnosed with scoliosis. "Anyone can be affected by scoliosis," says Dr. Harry Shufflebarger, MD, Director of the Division of Pediatric Spinal Surgery at Miami Children's Hospital. "However, the likelihood of developing scoliosis is somewhat greater for children whose parents or siblings have the condition."
How is scoliosis diagnosed?
The first stop in diagnosis is physical examination. The physician checks for uneven shoulders and a protruding shoulder blade when bending over - both early signs of scoliosis. If scoliosis is suspected, an X-ray examination can determining the extent of the condition.
What are the consequences of not diagnosing and treating scoliosis?
Children living with scoliosis may experience back pain. In severe cases, scoliosis may even result in difficulty breathing, decreased height and lowered self-esteem.
How is scoliosis treated?
Children are treated based on their degree of curvature.
Children with mild curvatures (less than 25 degrees) may require only regular examinations to follow the progression of the disease. Choosing this method of treatment depends partially on the age of the patient.
Children with curves from 25 to 30 degrees or who have curves of 20 degrees or more and are still growing may be treated with a brace. The brace is made to meet the individual patient's needs and stop a curve from progressing.
If the curve progresses to 45 degrees and has the potential to grow worse, spinal fusion surgery offered at the Division of Pediatric Spinal Surgery at Miami Children's may be recommended. Dr. Shufflebarger has developed some techniques of spinal fusion surgery. Bone graft is required which is usually harvested from the ribs. Two rods are then placed on either side of the spine to correct the scoliosis. The spinal fusion occurs over several months.
"Spinal fusion surgery can be a safe and effective treatment for maintaining correction of severe scoliosis," says Dr. Shufflebarger. "It's very gratifying to have assisted in developing procedures that have improved the quality of life of children living in South Florida and beyond."
Walking tall
The first sign of scoliosis is often uneven shoulders or a protruding shoulder blade that is visible when bending at the waist. If you note this, primary care evaluation is appropriate. When specialized treatment is required, Miami Children's Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the country that specializes in pediatric spinal surgery, featuring a procedure from spinal fusion developed by Harry Shufflebarger, MD.
Consults for spinal disorders and scoliosis are available at Miami Children’s Hospital, The Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center and the Miami Children’s Hospital Nicklaus Care Center.
For more information about Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders at Miami Children's Hospital, or to make an appointment, please call (305) 662-8366.
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