Treatments & Conditions

At the OHSU Spine Center we offer a full range of treatment options for scoliosis, from physical therapy and exercise to surgical treatment. The right treatment for you depends on the type of scoliosis, your age and how long you've had symptoms.

Pre-Treatment Plan

At your first appointment, your doctor will have reviewed your comprehensive health questionnaire. Your answers give the doctor detailed information about your pain and ability to function. This will help determine how serious your symptoms are and what treatments will be most helpful.  

Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatment 

If you are still growing, some non-surgical treatments can help slow the progress of the spinal curve. Your doctor may also recommend a "watch and wait" approach where the degree of curve is measured at each appointment. Bracing is an option for some people with scoliosis if the spine is still growing.

Surgical Treatment

Your doctor might recommend surgery to correct the scoliosis. In scoliosis surgery, your doctor attaches tiny metal hooks or screws to the spine and attaches them to small rods to straighten the spinal curve.

If you didn't need scoliosis surgery as a child, you might need it as an adult. This is because the curve can get worse over time and cause pain. If you had surgery as a child, the curve can become worse in the area that was not treated, and you might need a second surgery to correct the new curve. The OHSU Spine Center doctors are experts at treating scoliosis and can talk with you about all your options. If you are 50 or older, arthritis in your lower spine can cause scoliosis. This usually causes leg pain and sometimes leg weakness. Degenerative scoliosis can be treated several different ways. If you need surgery, it is usually a spinal fusion. This holds the spine straight.