It used to be thought that once patients have stopped growing, the curve always stopped getting worse. If the curve is not too big, that's still true. If a curve is bigger than 50 degrees, though, it may progress even after growth is complete. The second form of scoliosis treatment is bracing. A variety of braces and brace-wearing programs are used.
Treatment is based on the degree of the curve, where it is, and how well it responds to bracing.
It's worn to keep the curve from getting bigger in hopes that once the child stops growing, the curve will not progress. The last form of treatment is surgery. Generally, if a curve does not respond well to bracing and continues to progress, or if the curve is quite large when it's diagnosed, surgery may be necessary. Sherri's curve measured 52 degrees when it was diagnosed. In Sherri's case, as in most scoliosis surgery, a two-part procedure is done.