Scoliosis Surgery for Kids and Teens
Reviewed by Jason B. Anari, MD
Reviewed on
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves into an S or C shape. More than seven million people in the United States are affected by scoliosis, including about 2-3% of children and adolescents. While spinal curves can sometimes be monitored or treated with bracing, larger curves (more than 50%) may require surgery to protect long-term health. Watch this animated video to learn more about what to expect from spinal fusion surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), including diagnosis, recovery, and return to sports and everyday activities
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Girl 1: Hey, congrats on the big win today. I just found out I have scoliosis, and I'm so nervous. Were you?
Girl 2: OMG Hi!!!! I get it. I was overwhelmed at first. Want me to walk you through it?
Girl 1: Yes. Tell me everything.
Girl 2: Scoliosis means your spine has a curve to it. It's either shaped like an S or a C.
Girl 1: Really?
Girl 2: Yeah. My doctor said more than seven million people in the US have it. That's about two to three percent of all the kids in the country.
Way more common than I thought.
Girl 1: Huh, I didn't realize that. What kind did you have?
Girl 2: My curve was more like a C shape, about 60 degrees. That's the number they use to measure it. How serious the curve is determines what kind of treatment you need.
Girl 1: Okay, gotcha.
Girl 2: A smaller curve might mean you just need to watch it or wear a brace.
But when the curve gets too big, usually more than 50 degrees, that's when the doctor might tell you that you need to have surgery. I had surgery, and without it, my spine could have curved too much. It would've started to affect my heart and lungs.
Girl 1: Oh, wow. What was the surgery like?
Girl 2: The surgery is called spinal fusion.
My doctor used rods and screws to straighten and stabilize my spine.
Girl 1: Whoa. Rods and screws?
Girl 2: I know. It sounds really intense, but it worked, and now I can run, dance, swim, basically live my life.
Girl 1: How long did it take you to recover?
Girl 2: It took me a while, like a few months, before I could be fully back. I'm not gonna lie, it was a very challenging time, but it was worth it, and my doctors and family were so supportive.
Couldn't have done it without them.
Girl 1: Where did you have your surgery?
Girl 2: I had my surgery at CHOP in Philadelphia. It's Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. My doctor and everyone there were so nice to me. I was really scared about the surgery, but they helped me stay calm. Here, let me send you my real X-rays.
So this is what my spine looked like before, and this is what it looks like now after the surgery.
Girl 1: Wow. What a difference. Thanks so much for talking to me. I feel a lot better now.
Girl 2: I'm so glad to hear that. Let's keep talking. Trust me, you're not alone. In our group chat, we've got a cheerleader, a soccer player, a cellist.
Literally all of us had surgery, and we're back to doing our thing. Want me to add you?
Girl 1: Oh, wow. That's super cool. Yeah, um, add me.
Narrator: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia The very best scoliosis care for kids and teens.