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Sports blog: Warrior Nation

By TOM EVANS

Villager Staff Writer


REGION -- Amanda Otero and Alex Fontaine are two very good reasons for early detection and treatment of scoliosis.

Otero, a junior at Norwalk High School, and Fontaine, an eighth-grader in Weston, were both diagnosed with the disease, which produces a lateral curvature of the spine.

June is National Scoliosis Month, and both girls were eager to share their story and raise awareness about the malady that can produce severe long-term health problems if left untreated.

Both were diagnosed early, allowing them to pursue active athletic careers. In fact, neither girl has missed a beat -- or a run or a catch or a kick or a shot -- as they went through physical therapy to control progression of the curvature.

Scoliosis is prevalent in 3 to 5 percent of school-aged children, and is most commonly diagnosed during adolescence, often around the onset of puberty.

Progression of the curvature most frequently occurs between ages 12 and 16, and can be particularly rapid during a growth spurt.

Dr. Risa Sloves, one of seven chiropractic physicians in the state with three-year board certification in pediatrics, believes diagnosis and treatment are vital to slowing the "S-shape" curve of the spine.

"The goal of all scoliosis treatment is to stop the progression of the curvature, so as to avoid the possibility of bracing or spinal surgery," said Sloves, who works at Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, P.C. in Norwalk. "It is never too early to begin correcting a curvature, even if it is less than 10 degrees. Doing nothing more than 'watching the curvature' to see if it progresses, or to see how quickly it progresses, is a completely reactive approach in dealing with scoliosis, and is likely to be wasting precious time, when effective stabilization and corrective treatment could be occurring instead."

Scoliosis can make its presence known in many ways, and its onset may or may not come with other related symptoms. Otero, 16, and Fontaine, 13, are examples of both sides of that latter situation.

"I was diagnosed at my 14th birthday physical, and it showed the start of a very small curve that became three curves -- top, middle and bottom," said Otero, a standout in field hockey, indoor track and softball at Norwalk High School. "At that time, my vision was affected, with really bad headaches when I was reading. I also used to have back pains."

Fontaine, on the other hand, was diagnosed during a checkup in fifth grade at Hurlbutt Elementary School, where she said it was noted that her hips and shoulders were uneven.

"They took X-rays at Yale New Haven Hospital, and the curve was only 9 degrees," Fontaine said. "I was still growing, so we weren't too worried. When you're diagnosed younger, you have more chance to fix the curve. It was recommended I keep playing soccer and lacrosse. I wasn't limited at all."

Sloves said that whether the patient has other symptoms or is pain-free, early treatment of any curvature is crucial.

"I've had severe curvature in kids without pain at that point," Sloves said. "When I have a child with a curve of 10 degrees or more, I can pick up subtle anatomical problems, like a head tilt or shoulder slump. If you don't pick up the problem early, say by 17 degrees, when the curve reaches 25 degrees a brace is needed. By 40 degrees surgery may be called for, instead of an earlier proactive solution."

Sloves admitted that "surgery and back braces are controversial, to say the least," noting that braces are implemented with a single purpose.

"A kid wears a brace not to get the back better, but just not to let it get worse," Sloves said. "The nervous system deals with every cell in t he body, and it's important to look at the function of the body. When scoliosis is left to progress, that's when symptoms start. If the disease gets to that point, the patient has missed a big opportunity to correct the problem."

Otero was concerned about her spinal curvature at the outset, but since then she has been very happy with her work at Associates in Family Chiropractic.

"I was hoping the curve didn't get worse," Otero said. "The doctors aligned my back, and I use several machines for three-and-a-half hours, three times a week. I never stopped playing sports."

Fontaine recently stopped her similar therapy in the same offices in Norwalk, noting that positive changes can come quietly.

"I can't feel the difference, but I lowered my curve by 2 degrees," said Fontaine, who plays premier soccer in Weston while also discovering her desire to play lacrosse. "My curve went past 25 degrees to 26, so I chose to wear a brace for sleeping in seventh grade. Chiropractic therapy helped, and made my spine straighter."

Sloves pointed out some of the serious problems that can result from a wait-and-see attitude.

"If scoliosis is allowed to progress, not only will it produce a structural, cosmetic deformity that will likely promote arthritic changes as time progresses," Sloves said, "but in the case of advanced curvature, will compromise the function of organs such as the heart and lungs, which may result in severe, life-altering consequences."

Otero was succinct in her appreciation of her treatment timeline.

"I feel so good about catching scoliosis early," Otero said. "And doing something about it."

For more information on Sloves and the Associates in Family Chiropractic and Natural Health Care, visit http://www.ctchiropractic.com. Sloves can be contacted at rsmjchiro@sbcglobal.net, or at 203-838-1555.

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