DEAR DR. GOTT: My 17-year-old son has scoliosis. We have seen a specialist who had him wear a brace, but he couldn’t breathe with it on. I think it’s now time for surgery, but his primary-care doctor wants him to wait. What should we do and how long should we wait?
DEAR READER: Children and teens with mild scoliosis are often monitored with X-rays periodically to determine whether the curvature worsens. In many instances, treatment isn’t necessary. A brace will not cure the condition, nor will it reverse the curvature, but it may prevent advancement. There may come the time when surgical intervention is appropriate.
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