"As a surgeon working with children and their parents, it is tough to be able to help them make sense of what is going on," said Camp. "The support group is designed to unite parents and children who have gone through or are going through the treatments of scoliosis to support and help one another."
The group, which first met in late September, was a long time coming for the doctor, who plans to work with members of the group to provide insight and information into the condition.
"There has never been an outlet for people to meet others affected by scoliosis in Las Vegas," he said. "This group is an important part of dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from scoliosis correction."
Scoliosis is a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine most commonly affecting females between the ages of 10 and 14. It is Camp's hope that by promoting the message of early diagnosis and treatment, more of the general public will become aware of the condition and be familiar with its symptoms.
"Early treatment can help prevent curve progression and deformity," said Camp. "If left untreated, the condition can leave the spine abnormally curved, stiff, or rigid, making future treatment complicated and increasing the risk for serious complications down the road."
This fall, Camp will introduce Las Vegans to the Scoliosis Association. The local chapter will intertwine with the goals of the support group. Until now, there has not been a local chapter of the association in the Southwest.
The Scoliosis Association, founded in 1974, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven, non-medical organization. It provides support groups and information lines to those affected in any way by scoliosis. There are more than 50 active chapters in the U.S. For more information on the association, go to www.scoliosis-association.org or call 1-800-800-0669.
Camp's commitment to educating people about scoliosis began more than 20 years ago when he served on the University of California, San Diego's academic staff to the San Diego Children's Hospital. Following two years of practice in San Diego, he relocated to Las Vegas in 1990, becoming the first pediatric orthopedic surgeon in the Silver State. He is dedicated to providing children with scoliosis, along with their families, a safe, comfortable, congenial, and personable experience, in the context of proven corrective techniques and exceptional surgical outcomes.
In 2001, Camp established Children's Bone and Spine Surgery, which now employs three pediatric orthopedic surgeons and is Nevada's only pediatric orthopedic surgery group.
For more on Diana Edelman, contact Impress Communications at 702-367-7771.
