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Mount Sinai Spine Center
5 East 98th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10029

Mount Sinai Doctors Manhasset
1155 Northern Boulevard,
3rd Floor, Suite 300
Manhasset, NY 11030

Pediatric and Adolescent Scoliosis in Connecticut

Scoliosis can strike people at any age.  But those most commonly affected by the condition are children and adolescents.

Idiopathic scoliosis (whose origin is unknown) is the most pervasive type.  Children can be born with it (congenital scoliosis). And neuromuscular scoliosis may result from abnormalities in nerves and muscles, commonly seen in patients with muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Pediatric and adolescent scoliosis in Connecticut has a friend in the expert care at Scoliosis & Spine Associates.  With Dr. Barron Lonner leading our team, we offer children and youth living with scoliosis exemplary treatment and patient-centered care.

Physical signs

Most scoliosis isn’t accompanied by pain.  This means that other symptoms may not be noticed by parents, as they’re not necessarily obvious.

Following are some key symptoms to note:

  • Prominent shoulder blades
  • Hips seem set higher than average
  • Uneven waist
  • One leg seems longer than the other
  • Upper body is leaning to one side
  • Shoulders aren’t even (leaning to one side)

If parents notice any of the preceding symptoms, it’s critical that they book a consultation with their family doctor.

Diagnostic practice

Screening for pediatric and adolescent scoliosis in Connecticut should be done regularly, with your doctor being the first to point out physical signs.  But parents may request a screening when necessary.

If your family history encompasses scoliosis, it’s important that you tell your doctor.  This information is pivotal for an accurate diagnosis.  A physical examination will also be conducted, with the doctor identifying common symptoms like the head not being centered on the shoulders and asymmetry in other parts of the body commonly associated with the condition.

Your doctor will ask your child to bend forward, so she can examine your child’s back muscles and the the rib cage’s position.  Abdominal muscle strain is sometimes responsible for a spinal curve, so this factor will be examined to rule it out as a cause.

If your doctor deems it necessary, an X-ray image of the entire spine will be taken, with the patient standing.  Looking at resulting imagery, your doctor will measure spinal curvature.  Should this curve be in excess of 25 degrees, a plan for treatment will be assembled.

Treatment models

Observation, bracing and physical therapy are well-established therapeutic responses to scoliosis.  If your child is diagnosed with scoliosis, the curve will be regularly monitored to observe and follow progression.

Should the curve increase during observation, bracing will be applied.  Bracing has evolved recently, and young patients will be happy to know that it’s improved enormously.  Contemporary braces are much less physically restricting and unattractive.

In the event of curves of more than 45 degrees, surgical options will be discussed.

Scoliosis and Spine

At Scoliosis and Spine, our team’s focus is the care and treatment of scoliosis, with a keen focus on pediatric and adolescent patients.  Our team is led by prominent scoliosis specialist, Dr. Barron Lonner, working closely with young patients, centering and honoring individual need.

We’re here to work with children and youth living with scoliosis, bringing them effective, compassionate support.  Contact us.