June Kicks Off National Scoliosis Awareness Month

Every June, we take time to specifically highlight and create awareness for National Scoliosis Awareness Month and the importance of early detection of scoliosis in children and adolescents. Scoliosis is a spinal condition in which the spine abnormally curves from side to side. When viewing someone with scoliosis from behind, the spine closely resembles the letter S or C.  There is a wide range of causes and ages for when scoliosis can occur. The most common types of scoliosis include early onset scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and neuromuscular scoliosis.

As a parent or caregiver, if there are no obvious visible signs of scoliosis, you can still look for the following symptoms as your child grows; one shoulder slightly higher than the other, the head a bit off center with the body, ribs pushing out, or trouble breathing, 

Our team at Columbia Pediatric Orthopedics will provide a personalized treatment plan for your child’s scoliosis based on their age, severity of the curve, and future growth.

Drs. Michael Vitale and Benjamin Roye are experts in the treatment of scoliosis and are active members in the spine community, like the pediatric spine foundation. They are both members of many pediatric orthopedic research groups and combined, have published over 300 peer reviewed publications in the field. They both have a special interest in treatments for younger children including a magnetic spine lengthening device, “MAGEC” which helps eliminate repeat spinal surgeries on growing children.

Dr. Michael Vitale specializes in non-operative (casting, bracing, Schroth therapy etc.) and operative treatment (surgery) of complex pediatric scoliosis, among other spinal disorders. He has a special interest in innovative treatments such as Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering (AVBT), which is a growth modulation technique for the correction of idiopathic scoliosis without fusion. Dr. Vitale also co-directs the conservative treatment of scoliosis center.

Dr. Benjamin Roye also specializes in non-operative (casting, bracing, Schroth therapy etc.) and operative treatment (surgery) of complex pediatric scoliosis, among other spinal disorders. Dr. Roye has a special interest in early onset scoliosis and research. His active research portfolio focuses on conservative management of scoliosis and early onset scoliosis.