Scoliosis Correction by Expert Spine Surgeons
Mercy Medical Center, in Baltimore, Maryland, offers comprehensive care for a wide range of spine conditions, including physician expertise provided by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Spine surgeons at Mercy diagnose and treat a variety of spine disorders, including scoliosis, an abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine.
What is Scoliosis Correction?
Scoliosis correction refers to the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis - an abnormal, lateral curvature of the spine. A typical spine appears straight from top to bottom, but a spine with scoliosis can curve into a “C” or “S” shape. Scoliosis can occur at different stages, either in utero (congenital), during adolescence, or after normal aging (degenerative). The exact cause of scoliosis is usually unknown, and treatment will depend on a number of variables, including the type, stage and severity.
How is Scoliosis Correction performed?
The spine surgeons at Mercy provide a thorough evaluation to determine the type and severity of scoliosis. It may be determined that no treatment is necessary and your doctor will continue to closely monitor the condition. In some cases, particularly those of adolescent scoliosis, lightweight braces may be used to halt the worsening of spinal curvature.
If scoliosis is determined to be severe, or has the potential to become severe, surgery may be used to correct the condition. In most cases, surgeons will use special spinal instrumentation that gradually applies corrective forces to address the spine deformity. Spinal fusion may be used with bone grafts to fuse vertebra together and strengthen the spine.
Who is a candidate for Scoliosis Correction?
Patients who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, and whose symptoms are severe, may be candidates for scoliosis correction. The spine surgeons at Mercy will evaluate your condition and determine the best possible treatment options for your needs.
