What Is Scoliosis?

In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unclear. In other cases, the spine disorder may be the result of degeneration of the spinal discs commonly associated with arthritis or osteoporosis. Scoliosis risk factors include being female, being between nine and 15 years old, and having a family history of the disorder.

Classifications of scoliosis with no known cause are based on age:

• Infantile idiopathic scoliosis: Affects children younger than 3 years old
• Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis: Affects those between the ages of 3 and 10
• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Affects people between 10 and 18 years of age
• Adult idiopathic scoliosis: Appears in adults older than 18

Types of Scoliosis

Spine specialists at NU-Spine categorize the different types of scoliosis based on the underlying issue. The various types of scoliosis that a patient can experience include:

• Congenital scoliosis is a result of embryological malformation of one or more vertebrae. This type of scoliosis happens when the spine does not develop properly before birth. Because one area of the spinal column lengthens at a slower rate than the rest, a curvature of the spine is formed.
• Degenerative scoliosis occurs in the lumbar spine of older adults. Degeneration of joints and discs in the spine can occur slowly over time as a person ages. This degeneration can cause the spine to form the side-to-side curvature associated with scoliosis.
• Thoracogenic scoliosis can develop as a result of radiation treatment of the spine to treat spinal tumors or surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. Scoliosis can be the result of another underlying condition or factor.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis is a result of neurological or muscular diseases, including cerebral palsy, Chiari malformation, spinal cord trauma, or spinal muscular atrophy.
• Scoliosis can occur as part of many syndromic diseases. When it does, it is referred to as syndromic scoliosis. Underlying disorders leading to syndromic scoliosis include muscular dystrophy, arthrogryposis, spina bifida, Marfan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Detecting scoliosis as it begins to develop can be challenging because most cases of spinal deformity are mild and produce no pain. However, over time, patients can experience a wide range of symptoms that indicate the possibility of scoliosis, such as:

• Stiffness of the spine
• Fatigue caused by muscle strain
• Uneven shoulders, with one shoulder blade sticking out
• Low back pain from the pressure on the spinal cord
• Posture problems, including the entire body leaning toward one side
• Noticeable physical abnormalities, such as an off-center head or hips sitting at an angle
• Shortness of breath due to the spine pushing on the rib cage
• Chest pain
• An inability to stand upright
• Sciatica
• Walking or standing problems
• A noticeable humpback

Symptoms, although they may be mild, can worsen over time and cause crippling effects. The pressure scoliosis places on the spinal cord can cause pain and damage to internal organs, including the heart and lungs.

Treating Scoliosis at NU-Spine

While most cases of scoliosis are mild, the deformity gets worse if not treated. Patients must seek professional care from experts who specialize in spinal deformities. Dr. Branko Skovrlj is one of the few neurosurgeons who focuses solely on spine treatments and is an expert in treating abnormalities. He has received numerous nominations and awards for his contribution to spine surgery and correcting spinal deformities.

Dr. Skovrlj and his medical team at NU-Spine provide patients with a thorough examination to reach a correct diagnosis. Once determining a patient’s condition and the severity, Dr. Skovrlj will recommend treatment options. Minor cases of scoliosis may be corrected with non-surgical procedures, such as:

• Physical therapy, which includes stretching
• Exercises to strengthen back muscles
• Physical devices, such as a thoracolumbosacral orthosis back brace

More severe cases of scoliosis might require minimally invasive spine surgery. The medical team at NU-Spine specializes in minimally invasive surgery and employs those techniques when it is best for the patient. With a focus on achieving desired results with less invasive measures than traditional spine surgery, minimally invasive surgery offers patients several benefits, including:

• Faster recovery times
• Less blood loss
• Lower risks
• Quicker results
• Less muscle and nerve damage
• Less bruising

Other surgical procedures to treat scoliosis can include:

• Lumbar decompression
• Spinal reconstruction for deformities
• Corpectomy to remove one or more vertebrae
• Cognitive spinal deformity surgery

Find Expert Spinal Care at NU-Spine

Patients throughout New Jersey and beyond experiencing symptoms of scoliosis will find compassionate and professional care from Dr. Skovrlj and his medical team at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Our team of experts has the training, knowledge, and experience to offer scoliosis treatment to both children and adults. Board-certified neurosurgeons will review the patient’s medical history and perform in-depth examinations to deliver an accurate diagnosis and offer the most appropriate treatment.

Patients wishing to learn more about the procedures we offer to treat scoliosis and other spinal deformities can visit one of our locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, NJ, or contact us today.