Surgeon’s research could help improve treatment for scoliosis
Michelle Welborn, M.D., received a professorship – as she pushes the boundaries of scoliosis research.
Roughly two years ago, the chief of spine surgery at Shriners Children’s Portland reported that a molecular marker found in the bloodstream might dramatically improve scoliosis care.
Now, Michelle Welborn, M.D., has received a professorship from Shriners Children’s, allowing her to continue pursuing this research work.
The majority of children who have some scoliosis – that is, a curvature of the spine – do not require treatment. But of those who do, about 75% will be treated with bracing. These are the patients Dr. Welborn’s work could help.
“We don’t know if we can say why some of the kids in a brace don’t get worse, yet others do,” she says.
Her work could help with that. The marker, a breakdown product of bone growth known as collagen X biomarker, could let a physician know precisely when a patient is growing – and when they have stopped. The scoliosis brace, a plastic cast worn around the midsection at least 12 hours a day, only helps while a child is growing.
Currently, some patients may stop wearing the brace too early and others may wear it longer than necessary.
The professorship awarded to Dr. Welborn, the Diane Ruth Abramson Shriners Children’s Professorship, lasts five years and comes with a monetary award to support her research.
