Home >> Spine Problems >> Scoliosis Overview >> Adult Scoliosis
Adult Scoliosis
Adult scoliosis relates to anyone that has scoliosis and is eighteen or older. Adult scoliosis is different from children scoliosis cases in that adults are skeletally mature and may have different treatment options. Scoliosis in adults is usually accompanied with back pain and that is why they choose to get themselves evaluated. Treatment difficulties for the spine surgeon may exist since adult scoliosis can cause the spine to become stiff. In many cases, advanced disc degeneration that can create severe pain is accompanied with the scoliosis. Many patients with adult scoliosis may experience osteoporosis, which can play a contributing factor. All of these factors add into the equation of what treatment is right for the patient.
Most treatment for adult scoliosis is non-operative. A spine specialist will put together an individualized treatment program consisting of exercise and conditioning to help the patient increase function and energy, while trying to reduce the source of pain. Steroid injections may also be used to help control pain. Bracing is rarely used in adults nor does it provide pain relief.
Francis Pecoraro, MD
Fellowship-Trained
in Interventional Pain Medicine
 |
|
Surgery is recommended for curvatures that have gradually worsen or previous treatment options have all been exhausted and the pain still persists. It is not uncommon in adult scoliosis cases when discs are severely degenerated, which require the spinal fusion to be extended down to the sacrum. This situation may require the surgeon to perform the surgery on both your back and front side.
The length of the recovery is dependent of how extensive the surgery was and the age of the patient. Some patients will be back to full activity in three months, and some patients may need as long as six to nine months to properly heal. Many patients become thrilled and happy knowing the pain they suffered with is no longer going to bother them.
Atlantic Orthopedics includes eleven fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists. Fellowship-training represents the highest level of orthopedic medical training in the United States. Click here to learn more.
Not find what you were searching for?
Have a question, a suggestion or feedback for our Orthopedic and Spine practice? Please send an email to
info@atlantic-ortho.com. Important: This email is for NON-MEDICAL communications only and is not to be used for medical advice or for an inquiry about a medical problem or condition. It is only for general information purposes or suggestions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.
Quick navigation links:
About Atlantic Orthopedics | Meet the Orthopedic and Spine Specialists | Spine Center | Sports Medicine Center | Joint Replacement Center | Extremity Center | Foot and Ankle Pain | Shoulder Pain | Knee Pain | Arm and Hand Pain | Hip Pain | Back Pain | Neck Pain | Degenerative Disc Disease | Treatment for Orthopedic and Spine Conditions | Injection therapy | Physical Therapy | Spine Surgery | Shoulder Surgery | Knee Replacement Surgery | Hip Replacement Surgery | Educational Resources | About Fellowship-Training | Contact Us | North Carolina locations: Wilmington | Porters Neck | Brunswick Forest | Jacksonville NC / Onslow NC | Online Patient Services | Orthopedic and Spine Specialist by location: Wilmington NC, Porters Neck NC, Brunswick Forest NC, Jacksonville NC
Disclaimer:
Where pictures of patients are displayed, the patients of Atlantic Orthopedics in Wilmington, North Carolina have consented to have their picture in this website for the purpose of patient education.
|
