Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Your spine is expected to develop with a gentle “S” shaped curve, as this helps to support your body and ensure stress is dispersed optimally across your spinal column. However, this doesn’t always happen, and as a result of trauma or a genetic predisposition, your spine can begin to develop an abnormal lateral curve. This condition is known as scoliosis, and while it can develop at different stages in a person’s life, it is typically more common in children and teens because these groups are experiencing periods of rapid spinal growth during puberty.

It’s hard to shift the spine back into a correct alignment with conservative means, especially in juveniles who are dealing with this rapid growth, so oftentimes the best treatment method is a surgical procedure. This allows a surgeon to insert key pieces of hardware along the spine to act as reinforcement so that the spine gets back to developing along a healthy tract. And while the surgery typically has great results, it can be hard for teens to prepare for the surgery and the months-long recovery that follows. That’s where you come in as a parent or guardian. In today’s blog, we share some tips for supporting your teen before and after corrective scoliosis surgery.

Helping Your Teen Prepare For Scoliosis Surgery

If you could trade places with your teen and go through the surgery and recovery process on your own, you’d do it in a heartbeat, but that’s simply not possible. Instead, do the next best thing and be there for them before and after the procedure. Here’s what we recommend before they undergo surgery:

• Be A Sponge – When it comes to absorbing critical information about their condition, their operation and the best practices for a great recovery, be an information sponge. Come with them to their appointments, listen to the doctor and educate yourself about what to expect before and after your surgery. Your teen will have enough on their plate with surgery, school and a social life, so try to soak up as much helpful information during these pre-op appointments as possible.
• Ask Questions – It will also be helpful to ask questions to their doctor and their care team in the lead-up to surgery. It’s unlikely that your teen is going to take it upon themselves to ask questions that could provide some helpful answers, so don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or for answers to questions you have about their surgery and recovery.
• Stay Positive – It’s normal to worry about your child and their surgery, but put on a brave face for your child. Instead of openly worrying about things that could go wrong, focus on all the things that will go right assuming the operation goes as planned. Talk with them about how they’ll have less pain, be more comfortable and can return to more physical activities like running or sports once their recovery is complete. They should be much better off once surgery and recovery is complete, so focus on all the ways their life will improve once it’s done.

Helping Your Teen After Scoliosis Surgery

Your care won’t end once the surgery is complete. In fact, you’ll want to be more-hands on during the initial stages of recovery. Here’s what we recommend:

• Encouragement – Encourage your child to follow their doctor’s recovery plan, including when it comes to physical therapy. Sticking to their recovery program and following through on in-clinic and home-based physical therapy will give them the best chance to make the strongest recovery. Find ways to encourage them to stick to their recovery plan, even on hard days.
• Celebrate Recovery – It can be hard for your teen to see the progress they are making when they are in the midst of recovery. They might focus on how it’s hard to do certain aspects of their physical therapy or that progress isn’t moving along as fast as they’d hoped. Point out their progress when you see it, and celebrate the success they are having, even if it’s small in nature. They’ll get there eventually, and it will be easier to do if you celebrate the small strides they’ve made along the way.
• Help Them Stay Connected – Finally, many teens feel like they may fall behind academically or socially while they work to recover after a major operation like scoliosis surgery. Help them keep up with everything by ensuring they have access to their school work and their friends. Let them have visitors and work with them to stay up to date on their school work so they aren’t behind when they return to school. A successful rehab isn’t just about your teen’s physical health, it also involves their mental and emotional health, so don’t ignore ways to help these aspects of your child’s recovery.

For more information about how you can help your teen thrive before and after scoliosis surgery, or for answers to questions about other spine issues, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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