While sensational changes in how scoliosis is treated can’t be expected any time soon, research has come a long way in spinal surgery. Once researchers understand the genetic cause of scoliosis, they may be able to use medication to slow its progression.
What’s in the future for scoliosis?
Genetic testing
Idiopathic scoliosis is scoliosis with no known cause, and it tends to run in families. If you have a close family member with scoliosis, you have about a one in 10 chance of developing scoliosis yourself. That is much higher than in the general population, where one in 1000 people have scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a complex genetic disorder. This means that many genes are probably involved. It is not likely that a single gene is responsible.
Researchers have found a few genes that are linked to scoliosis. Some of these genes may control how severe the scoliosis becomes. Other genetic or environmental factors may also be involved. It is possible that the various genes identified work in a common way that leads to scoliosis.
Eventually researchers might be able to test for these genes. They may use this test to screen for scoliosis or predict how severe it will become.
Several groups are already developing such tests. However, they need to determine how well the tests can predict the disease and its severity. They need to minimize the chances of having a wrong result.
In the future, once researchers understand the genetic cause of scoliosis, they may find a way to slow its progression using medications.
Prevention of scoliosis
There is no known way to prevent scoliosis. Researchers are looking into the causes of scoliosis. Once they know the causes, they might be able to figure out how to prevent it.
For now, here are what they think may cause scoliosis:
- Genetics: If you have a close family member with scoliosis, you have a one in 10 risk of having it yourself.
- Growth: Scoliosis gets worse during puberty when teens are growing rapidly.
- Connective tissue: Problems with our connective tissue may be associated with scoliosis. These are the tissues that connect bones to other bones.
- Muscle: Problems with the muscles that run along the spine may be linked with scoliosis.
- Neurology: Our posture and sense of balance may have something to do with scoliosis.
- Melatonin: This is a hormone secreted in the brain. Abnormal levels of melatonin may be associated with scoliosis.
For more information, see What Causes Scoliosis?
New instrumentation and techniques
Sensational changes can’t be expected any time soon. As in most areas of medical science, change happens slowly by improving on existing technology and treatment. For example, the cure for cancer hasn’t been found but doctors have been very successful at treating certain types of cancer.
This also applies to the treatment of scoliosis. Great improvements have been made in spinal surgery since it started over 100 years ago. The surgical treatment of spinal deformities has made a lot of progress since spinal rods were invented in the 1960s.
The current use of special hardware called pedicle screws during surgery has made a big impact in the field. The pedicle screws are attached to certain parts of the spine, and the rods are attached to the pedicle screws. This improves the correction of the spinal deformity.
New 3D imaging techniques are becoming available. They give off less radiation than X-rays. They also show a better picture of the spine in an upright position. Improved imaging will help surgeons plan their strategy for scoliosis surgery.
Will researchers ever invent a pill to treat scoliosis without surgery? That dream is not likely to happen in our lifetime. Nevertheless, some scientists are studying chemicals called biological markers in our blood. Eventually they may be able to use these markers in a standard test for scoliosis. We might be able to use these markers to detect the more aggressive forms of scoliosis.