Scoliosis Treated by Top Spine Doctors at Mercy

Scoliosis is a sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine. It can occur in both adulthood and childhood.

Degenerative Scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis, also known as adult scoliosis or degenerative lumbar scoliosis, can occur as the normal spine ages. Discs soften and arthritis may develop in the facet joints (back side of the spine). If there is some curvature (scoliosis) in the lower back (lumber spine), it can greatly increase when the discs soften and facet joints erode due to arthritis.

Increased curvature often is accompanied by increased instability and pain with activity. The facet joints form additional bone to help stabilize the failing spine. This extra bone can press upon nerves to cause leg pain. Degenerative scoliosis most often occurs in the low back of middle-aged adults.

Adolescent Scoliosis

Most forms of scoliosis progress rapidly during adolescent growth years before slowing. Adolescent scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis. This type of scoliosis does not become noticeable until the growth spurt begins in adolescence. Its cause is unknown and so it is sometimes called idiopathic scoliosis. Adolescent scoliosis most commonly occurs in females.

Diagnosing Degenerative Scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis symptoms can include:

• Gradual onset of pain in the mid to lower back
• Pain being worse in the morning and late evening
• Leg pain

The pain associated with degenerative scoliosis most often is caused by the inflammation in the facet joints not by the curve of the spine.

Degenerative scoliosis can be diagnosed with a physical exam as well as using imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT scan and MRI.

Diagnosing Adolescent Scoliosis

Adolescent scoliosis may cause:

• One shoulder to be higher than the other
• One hip to be more prominent than the other
• Prominence of one side of the rib cage (rib hump)
• Postural imbalance with the patient’s head to the right or left of the pelvis

Severe curves of the spine can compromise the function of the heart and lungs.

Spine specialists diagnose scoliosis in adolescents by conducting a physical exam and possibly a neurological exam to test for weakness, numbness and reflexes. Imaging testing such as X-ray, MRI and bone scans may also be conducted.

Treatment for Degenerative Scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis most often does not require surgery. The goal of degenerative scoliosis treatment is to:

• Reduce the pain associated with the inflammation of the facet joints
• Increase the spine’s range of motion, strength and flexibility

Pain relief can be achieved through:

• Pain relievers
• Epidural injections
• Facet injections
• Physical therapy
• Osteopathic treatment

Mercy's physician team includes experts in pain management as well as orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.

Surgery may be considered as a treatment option for degenerative scoliosis when the pain is so severe that it interferes with the ability to walk.

Treatment for Adolescent Scoliosis

Mild forms of scoliosis in adolescents typically do not require treatment. Depending on the patient’s growth and severity of the curve, a brace may be recommended to help lessen the progression of the curve.

Surgery is a treatment option for severe scoliosis. The spine surgeons at The Maryland Spine Center use special spinal instrumentation that gradually applies corrective forces in all 3-dimensions to address all aspects of the spine deformity. It is rarely necessary to open the chest or abdomen. Using these methods, our spine surgeons are able to achieve better correction of the deformity than previously available.