Children's Bone & Spine Surgery

Some Treatments Too Good to be True
Dr. Jonathan F. Camp sets the record straight on alternatives to typical scoliosis treatments

(LAS VEGAS)— No hospitalization. No surgery. No bracing. No way.

According to Jonathan Camp, MD, a pediatric spine surgeon specializing in scoliosis at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, treatments touting alternatives to the traditional scoliosis treatments of bracing and surgery are a farce.

“As soon as parents find out their child has scoliosis and needs surgery, they become desperate,” said Camp. “They will do anything to avoid having their child undergo surgery. When they learn of other avenues, be it Online or other, it is easy to get taken advantage of and spend money on something that won’t work. Groups that offer this only hurt the parents, the children with scoliosis and the medical community.”

One such center provides examples of successful treatments accomplished through its eight years in service. But, Camp points out, while they have these examples, it is hard to tell if the patients ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos are the same people and the three cases the group documents simply shows X-rays, along with naked backs.

The Center claims it treats scoliosis patients through a unique method of vibration and decompression of the spine, spinal manipulation, isometric gymnastics, massage therapy, acupressure, nutritional therapy, electrical stimulation, thermal-magnet-therapy, bio-feedback and bio-mechanical correction of lifestyles.

“Even the successful cases they document, there is little change from the original photo to the photo following treatment,” said Camp. “Traditional treatment would provide a complete or near complete correction to the spine rather than the outcomes they have achieved.”

Camp provides an open door with his patients—if they research and find information on alternative treatments, he sits with them and goes over it in detail, explaining to them fact versus fiction.

“There is such a prevailing distrust in the medical community because of groups claiming bogus methods for treatment,” he said. “It is a common misconception that the medical community has an axe to grind with alternative medical treatments because of a financial interest. The truth is, if it works, we will use it.”

In the meantime, Camp advises parents questioning alternative treatments to consult with their doctors before deciding to utilize anything other than what is recommended.

“The majority of the time, these claims are false,” he said. “Not only that, they are immoral, unethical and wastes patients time while they get worse.”

Jonathan Camp, MD, is a pediatric spine surgeon at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, at 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Ste. 201 and 653 N. Town Center, Ste. 208. With more than 30 years of experience in pediatric spine focused on scoliosis, he is certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of numerous prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society and the Nevada Medical Association. Camp is a fellow in the Scoliosis Research Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics (Orthopaedic Subsection). For more information call (702) 434-6920 or go to www.cbsortho.com.

Jonathan Camp, MD, Offers Free Scoliosis Exams
Veteran pediatric scoliosis surgeon lends expertise to families in diagnosis of spinal disorder

(LAS VEGAS)—Jonathan Camp, MD, a Las Vegas Pediatric Orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, today announced he is offering complimentary scoliosis examinations, including X-Rays if necessary, for children and young adults, 18 years of age and younger.

The complimentary consultations are available from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 8 at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery’s Las Vegas location, 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 201 (east of I-215). Appointments are necessary and must be made in advance by calling (702) 434-6920. Full body scoliosis x-rays will be included if necessary. Camp plans to hold more such no cost clinics in the future as the need arises.

Scoliosis, a lateral curvature or side-to-side curves of the spine, is most common in females ages 10 to 14. Males may have the condition, but it is much less common. If caught early, treatment can help prevent curve progression and the attendant deformities. However, when left untreated, scoliosis may cause severe cosmetic back and torso deformities, heart and lung problems and eventually pain in the older patients.

While the Clark County School District (CCSD) provides no-cost screenings to students, which Camp participates in quarterly, these additional clinics serve as an opportunity for those who may have been screened by an adult doctor to be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist for children and adolescents. These clinics will also access students in the private schools in Las Vegas. Second opinions are welcome.

“I don’t think parents realize how difficult scoliosis may be to detect without a physical examination from a doctor who knows what to look for,” said Camp, who works regularly with CCSD’s nurses to train them on the diagnostic signs of the condition.

To diagnose scoliosis, Camp observes the patient from both the front and back and looks for any asymmetric abnormalities in the shoulders, rib cage, waist and pelvis.

“The exams are quick and painless,” he said. “It is important that parents bring their children to be examined so if someone does have the condition, treatment can begin immediately.”

Treatment for scoliosis is dependant on a child’s age, remaining growth potential, spinal curve pattern and magnitude, the anticipated rate of progression and appearance, and can range from corrective bracing to surgical intervention.

Jonathan Camp, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, at 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Ste. 201 and 653 N. Town Center, Ste. 208. With more than 30 years of experience in pediatric spine focused on scoliosis, he is certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of numerous prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society and the Nevada Medical Association. Camp is a fellow in the Scoliosis Research Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics (Orthopaedic Subsection). For more information call (702) 434-6920 or go to www.cbsortho.com.

Lisa King Joins Jonathan Camp, MD to Promote Scoliosis Awareness

(LAS VEGAS)— Jonathan Camp, MD, a pediatric spine surgeon at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, today announced Lisa King has been hired as the director of physician relations for his practice, which focuses on scoliosis.

In her new position as director of physician relations, King is responsible for implementing a scoliosis awareness marketing plan, promoting Camp’s services and increasing the practice’s brand awareness and subsequent business growth within the general pediatric physician community.

Prior to joining Camp, King served as the area sales manager for Gannett Pacific Publications, where she was responsible for creating annual budgets and monitoring the four local monthly publications distributed in Las Vegas. She also provided mentoring and training to sales staff and reviewed proofs of all publications prior to print.

King previously was the marketing director for Steinberg Diagnostic. As the marketing director, King created marketing and branding campaigns to increase its business as well as handling all advertising from creative concepts to ad designs and collateral materials. She also was responsible for hiring and providing training to all marketing staff. In addition, King promoted all new modalities to referring physicians as well as the planning and implementation of open house and CME dinner events. Prior to Steinberg Diagnostic, she served as the area case manager for Vencor Hospital.

A resident since 1991, King has donated her time to numerous organizations. She served as chairman for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” from 1993 to 1996 and chairman of the board for “Board Breaks for the Cure” for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1999.

King can be seen every Saturday and Sunday on LV ONE as the host of Dyson and Dyson’s “Best of the Best” real estate television program, airing at 10 a.m.

Beginning on June 12, King will be featured as a full contact Muay Thai fighter, trainer and mentor on the Oxygen Network’s eight-week reality series “Fight Girls,” which depicts the story of ten tough female Muay Thai fighters attempting the impossible—to beat the best female fighters in the world — and win the chance to fight for the Muay Thai World Championship belt in Thailand.

Jonathan Camp, MD, is a pediatric spine surgeon at Children’s Bone and Spine Surgery, at 1525 E. Windmill Lane, Ste. 201 and 653 N. Town Center, Ste. 208. With more than 30 years of experience in pediatric spine focused on scoliosis, he is certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is a member of numerous prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society and the Nevada Medical Association. Camp is a fellow in the Scoliosis Research Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics (Orthopaedic Subsection). For more information call (702) 434-6920 or go to www.cbsortho.com.