The highly skilled, professionally trained spinal surgeons at Marina del Rey Hospital can assess patients with adult scoliosis and derive a treatment plan that suits their condition. We offer several conservative and surgical treatment methods to treat spinal disorders.
Adult scoliosis also referred to as adult-onset scoliosis or degenerative scoliosis, is a spine condition in which the alignment of the spine shifts abnormally to the left or the right side, resulting in a "C" or "S" shaped curve in the spine. This condition is frequently seen in people above the age of 65 with spinal osteoarthritis, due to the fact that their spinal facet joints have weakened and tend to break down easily.
Adult scoliosis commonly affects the lower back region (lumbar spine) because the vertebrae in this segment bear the entire weight of the body and as such are subjected to more wear and tear. Sometimes, adult scoliosis can also be the result of undiscovered or untreated childhood scoliosis. The pain associated with adult scoliosis is due to spine degeneration-related inflammation, and not the spinal curvature itself. The treatment of adult scoliosis is focused on the management of symptoms.
Surgical treatment is considered in severe cases of adult scoliosis that do not respond to the use of conservative treatment methods, such as pain medications, physical therapy, and hot/cold compresses, for several weeks to months. The objectives of surgical treatment are the reduction of the patient’s pain and the facilitation of their return to routine activities. At Marina Del Rey Hospital, we advocate minimally invasive surgical techniques, rather than the traditional open surgical methods. Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques use smaller incisions to gain access to the spine and tiny surgical tools to achieve spinal nerve decompression (laminotomy and foraminotomy). Our surgeons will then remove the damaged spinal disc (discectomy) and stabilize the spine using bone grafts secured with metal rods and screws (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and lateral lumbar interbody fusion).
The minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques used to treat scoliosis include:
Benefits of the minimally invasive approach:
The different types of adult-onset scoliosis are described below:
The most common symptom of adult scoliosis is back pain that becomes worse with activity over a period of time. The patient may feel pain in one or both of their legs while walking and standing. Pain tends to dissipate when the patient is in a seated position. Other physical signs that may develop depending on the severity of adult scoliosis include:
Adult scoliosis is diagnosed based on a careful physical examination and additional diagnostic tests. During the physical examination, a doctor will examine the patient's back and note the spinal curvature. The patient is also observed while bending in different directions, which shows the flexibility of the spine. Additionally, a neurologic examination will be used to evaluate a patient's reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength.
Diagnostic Imaging Tests:
The risk factors that contribute to the onset of adult scoliosis include:
The major cause of adult scoliosis seems to be the gradual age-related degeneration of the facet joints, found in between the vertebrae, which leads to the development of a lateral curvature of the spine. In most cases of adult scoliosis, the cause remains unknown. Degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, and related compression fractures may result in changes in the shape and height of the vertebral bodies that can lead to an abnormal curve in the spine. Sometimes, adult scoliosis may occur if pre-existing scoliosis worsens, or if it is left untreated or undiscovered from childhood.
Alternative medicine treatments that are beneficial for patients with degenerative or adult scoliosis include acupuncture and chiropractic treatment. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method of achieving pain relief and it involves insertion of fine, hollow needles into specific points of the body. As per the recent research published in the Scoliosis Journal, acupuncture is effective in slowing down the progression of lateral spinal curvature. It is advisable to consult a doctor before beginning any acupuncture sessions.
Chiropractic treatment involves various spinal adjustments and osteopathic manipulations that are done by a chiropractor. These treatments help decrease pain by maintaining the mobility of the spinal facet joints.
Even though there are no established preventive methods to avoid scoliosis, you may proactively follow certain steps to avoid degeneration of your spine and development of scoliosis at a later stage in life. In most cases, adult scoliosis develops without any reason, which makes it even more difficult to prevent. Here are a few lifestyle modifications that can help improve spine health and reduce the risk of degenerative scoliosis.
Do you have chronic lower back pain, or have you found asymmetry in your body? The specially trained spinal surgeons at Marina del Rey Hospital can provide information and guidance about treating adult scoliosis.
Marina del Rey Hospital is an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai Health System, 133-bed acute care Joint Commission accredited hospital offering general acute medical services and 24/7 emergency care.
