Scoliosis Care: The Meeting of Anatomy and Psychology

Abstract

At the time of the intake, the patient was a 14-year-old Risser 1 female at the 91st percentile for height, presenting with a 39degree thoracic curve spanning T5-T12 with an apex at T5 and 29degree lumbar curve spanning T12 to L4 with an apex of L2, complicated by pelvic obliquity. She has been previously diagnosed with ASD, ADHD- predominantly inattentive subtype, MDD, and GAD and has experienced involuntary psychiatric hospitalization,
partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs. Prior to her engagement with Orthotics, the patient had been very actively participating with pediatrics, orthopedics, physical therapy, psychiatry, and outpatient psychotherapy in addition to specialized care/advocacy services geared toward the neurodivergent population. The patient has been described as “slow to warm up to providers,” with her treatment compliance questioned. Scoliosis bracing has been resisted by the pt until the curvature has progressed to approaching the surgical magnitude.