Adult Deformity Correction

Common conditions treated by adult deformity correction include:

• Scoliosis: An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which can develop in adulthood due to degenerative changes in the spine (degenerative scoliosis) or may be a progression of adolescent scoliosis.
• Kyphosis: An excessive forward curvature of the spine, leading to a hunched or rounded back. This can result from osteoporosis (osteoporotic kyphosis), degenerative disc disease, or other spinal conditions. One variant of this is Flatback Syndrome, which is usually caused inadvertently by fusion surgery which does not restore the normal lumbar arch. This can lead to difficulty standing upright and chronic back pain. Another variant is Scheuermann’s Syndrome, which is a congenital kyphosis producing at times severe “hunchback” deformity in the thoracic spine.
• Spondylolisthesis: A condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. This can cause spinal instability, nerve compression, pain, and contribute to deformity.
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, numbness, weakness, and can contribute to deformity.

Non-surgical treatments

Non-surgical treatments for adult deformity corrections include:

• Physical Therapy: Aimed at strengthening the muscles supporting the spine, improving flexibility, and reducing pain.
• Pain Management: Includes medications, nerve blocks, and epidural steroid injections to manage chronic pain.
• Bracing: In some cases, bracing may be used to provide support and alleviate symptoms.

Surgical treatments

Surgical treatments for adult deformity correction are aimed at relieving pain, improving function, decompressing nerves, and improving the appearance of spinal deformities.

• Spinal Fusion: A common surgical procedure where two or more vertebrae are stabilized, re-aligned, and permanently joined to allow for permanent correction of the deformity.
• Osteotomy: Involves resection of bone wedges to allow “loosening” or mobilization of very stiff or severe deformity. This then allows for more thorough deformity correction.
• Vertebral Column Resection: A more extensive surgery that removes one or more vertebral segments to correct severe deformities.
• Instrumentation: The use of rods, screws, spacers, and other hardware to stabilize the spine during and after corrective surgery.

Recovery from deformity correction surgery can be extensive and requires a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. This may include physical therapy, pain management, and regular follow-up visits with Dr. Colman. The success of the surgery often depends on the patient’s adherence to postoperative care and rehabilitation protocols.

Adult deformity correction is a complex field that requires a multidisciplinary approach involving orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes for patients.