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Conditions

Scoliosis Treatment Options

What are the treatments for scoliosis?

Dr. Singh will consider a variety of factors including the age of the patient when the curve began, the location and severity of the curve, the progression of the curvature, the underlying cause, a family history of spinal deformity and the individual’s overall health. The treatment options for adult scoliosis aim to alleviate symptoms, improve functionality, and maintain a satisfactory quality of life.

Non-surgical management is aimed at improving pain, physical functioning, and preventing progression of the curve. Non-surgical options for a worsening curve and back pain may include:

  • A back brace for the short to medium term (in kids not adults).
  • Oral anti-inflammatory medications may be offered for pain relief.
  • Spinal steroid injections or nerve blocks may provide relief by reducing inflammation associated with pain.
  • Physical therapy to improve core strength, flexibility and posture.
  • Regular exercise.

In some cases, when conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief, surgery may be considered to stabilize the spine, correct the curvature, and reduce symptoms.

Excruciating pain and disability caused by severe curves in the spine are the more common reasons why a patient will seek surgery for scoliosis as an adult. The most common surgical procedure is spinal fusion which involves fusing two or more vertebrae to correct the curvature.

Dr. Singh specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures for scoliosis that may include a minimally invasive laminectomy, minimally invasive fusion (from the front, side or back), or the ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic approach which involves the use of a camera like those used in hip and knee arthroscopy.

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If you or a loved has symptoms of a spinal condition, contact Chicago spine surgeon Dr. Kern Singh who can assess your situation, provide an accurate diagnosis and guide you on the most suitable treatment options.

Dr. Kern Singh, MD is an internationally renowned spine surgeon specializing in outpatient minimally invasive and motion-preserving techniques and endoscopic spine surgery at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Kern is one of the nation’s Top 100 spine surgeons and beloved by his patients for his compassionate care and excellent outcomes. He welcomes nationally and internationally-based patients.

References

  • Zhang Y, Liu C, Ge X. Clinical and radiographic outcomes of stand-alone oblique lateral interbody fusion in the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis: a retrospective observational study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Dec 27;23(1):1133. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-06035-9. PMID: 36575399; PMCID: PMC9793660.
  •  Kao FC, Hsu YC, Chen TS, Tu YK, Liu PH. Incidence and risk factors of vertebral body collapse after posterior instrumented spinal fusion in elderly patients: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Nov 4;101(44):e31604. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031604. PMID: 36343049; PMCID: PMC9646654.
  • Makino T, Tsukazaki H, Ukon Y, Tateiwa D, Yoshikawa H, Kaito T. The Biological Enhancement of Spinal Fusion for Spinal Degenerative Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Aug 17;19(8):2430. doi: 10.3390/ijms19082430. PMID: 30126106; PMCID: PMC6121547.
At A Glance

Dr. Kern Singh

  • Minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgeon
  • Inventor and surgeon innovator with multiple patents in spinal surgery and instrumentation
  • Author of more than 10 textbooks in minimally invasive spinal surgery
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