June: Scoliosis Awareness Month
Scoliosis, a condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine, affects people of all ages but is most diagnosed in children and adolescents. Each June, Scoliosis Awareness Month brings attention to the importance of early detection and access to specialized care—something the UNC Department of Orthopaedics is deeply committed to providing.
At UNC Orthopaedics, scoliosis care goes far beyond diagnosis. The department is forming a dedicated Spinal Deformity Program, where patients will receive individualized treatment from a multidisciplinary team of experts in pediatric orthopaedics, orthotics, rehabilitation, and advance pediatric care. This collaborative approach hopes to ensure that each patient benefits from the latest advances in treatment, whether they require bracing, physical therapy, or complex spinal surgery.
Beyond patient care, UNC Orthopaedics remains committed to advancing scoliosis research. The department continually prioritizes research and clinical innovations aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with spinal deformities. The department’s Chair Dr. James Sanders, an internationally recognized leader in pediatric spine care developed what has become known as the Sanders Scale, a tool that helps physicians assess skeletal maturity using hand x-rays, an essential factor in determining how much more a child may grow and, in turn, how likely their scoliosis is to progress. This scale has become a critical guide in timing treatments, ensuring the best possible outcomes for young patients.
Since coming to UNC, Dr. Sanders has also developed a strong scoliosis research team in seeking to understand why scoliosis worsens in children and how to cure it. The team has worked to better understand the pulmonary problems arising in early onset scoliosis. Sean Zeller, a certified prosthetist and orthotist, is also developing innovative methods of treating scoliosis in children with engineers at NC State.
For the department’s pediatric patients, our providers, like Dr. Stuart Mitchell, take extra steps to make a challenging diagnosis a little easier to bear (literally). The department provides Higgy Bears, specially designed stuffed animals that wear miniature spinal braces that match those worn by the children themselves. These comforting companions help kids feel seen, understood, and less alone as they undergo treatment. Dr. Mitchell and his team have also integrated advanced 7D technology into their surgical planning and treatment, significantly reducing patients’ exposure to radiation. This is a critical consideration in pediatric care, where minimizing long-term risks such as cancer and other radiation-related conditions is especially important.
“The faculty and staff of our department realize that scoliosis and other spinal deformities are not just disorders children have but are disorders that effect so many areas of a child’s life including their comfort, self-concept, and their relationships with others. This gives them the desire to make sure the treatment meets the needs of the children and their families,” reflected Dr. Sanders.
Scoliosis Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize not just the challenges of this condition but also the strength of the patients who face it and the providers who stand beside them. At UNC Orthopaedics, compassion, innovation, and excellence in care are at the heart of everything they do.