Scoliosis

A healthy spine has a slight curve, but some conditions cause the spine to curve dramatically causing spinal deformity. These conditions include:

• Scoliosis – This causes the spine to curve in the shape of a C or an S. It generally affects children, especially girls, but it can also develop in adults
  
• Kyphosis – This causes your spine to curve so much that your body is hunched and rounded. Postural kyphosis results from bad posture and slouching and is often less severe. Other types of kyphosis can cause deformities to individual vertebrae and more severe rounding– This causes your spine to curve so much that your body is hunched and rounded. Postural kyphosis results from bad posture and slouching and is often less severe. Other types of kyphosis can cause deformities to individual vertebrae and more severe rounding

Scoliosis and kyphosis may cause any of the following problems with the back and other areas of the body:

• Lopsided hips, shoulders, and waist
• Protruding shoulder blades
• Inability to stand straight
• Bulge or bump on the back

Scoliosis is categorized into three groups, depending on the cause:

• Idiopathic scoliosis – This type appears without a clear cause, although it seems to run in families
• Structural scoliosis – When it is caused by prior injury, infection, nerve or muscle disorders, tumors, or congenital problems, it is known as structural scoliosis
• Nonstructural scoliosis (functional scoliosis) – This type involves a curve in the spine caused by a muscle spasm or uneven leg lengths. Nonstructural scoliosis can be reversed when the underlying condition is treated

This condition generally does not cause pain, but in some severe cases, the spinal abnormality may put pressure on surrounding spinal discs, nerves, or tissues. This can lead to spinal pain or a specific type of lower back pain called sciatica. Most commonly, a spinal irregularity or scoliosis may be recognized by the following symptoms:

• One hip lower than the other
• One shoulder lower than the other
• Flat waistline on only one side of the body
• Lopsided appearance of ribs or head

Our orthopedic surgeons are experts at diagnosing spinal deformities. Our initial exam generally includes:

• Medical history evaluation – This includes asking questions about medical problems that might affect the spine, including birth defects and injuries
• Physical exam – Your orthopedist will examine your back, shoulders, waist, arms, and legs carefully, looking to see if both sides of your body are even
• X-rays – Your orthopedist will likely order an X-ray of your spine to see and measure the extent of the curvature in your spine, and check whether any of your vertebrae are out of place

Our team of experienced orthopedic spine surgeons spend time with all patients and their families to explain conditions and treatment options thoroughly. Whenever appropriate, we also encourage families to consider alternatives to surgery, including:

• Physical therapy
• Scoliosis brace/spinal brace

In some cases, non-surgical treatment options may not relieve pain or stop the spinal deformity from progressing. In those cases, we will recommend surgery. Our expert team of orthopedic surgeons will work with you and your family to determine the most effective and advanced surgical options, which may include one of the following:

• Spinal deformity surgery
• Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)