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A spinal deformity refers to an abnormal curve or alignment in the vertebrae that make up the spinal cord. It can prevent your spine from doing its job, which may lead to pain, mobility issues, and neurological problems.
Mild cases of deformity may not cause any problems/symptoms at all.
Some common deformities include:
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spinal column twists and curves to the side. Very often it starts in adolescents ages 10 to 15, (girls more than boys) but it can occur in adults as well. It can cause a visibly curved spine, as well as the tendency to lean to one side. Uneven shoulders can be another symptom, along with the ribs sticking out on one side of the body.
Kyphosis is a type of spinal deformity that causes an exaggerated rounding of the upper back. It can happen to children and older people.
In older people, kyphosis can result from weakness in the spinal bones, which causes them to crack or compress. In infants and teens, kyphosis can occur because of the malformation of the spine.
Lordosis is the inward curve of the lumbar spine. Having a small degree of lordosis is normal, but too much of a curve can affect the lower back and the neck by putting extra pressure on the spine.
Flatback syndrome happens when the lower spine loses some of its natural curvature. It can lead to the feeling of falling forward, stooping, and chronic pain in the back muscles.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic autoimmune condition that over time, causes vertebrae to fuse together. It makes the spine less flexible and can lead to a hunched posture.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips on top of the vertebra below it. It can happen anywhere on your spine but is most common in the lower back. This often will lead to the pinching of the nerves exiting the spinal cord.
There are also congenital deformities of the spine that present in infants and children, including congenital scoliosis, congenital thoracic hyperkyphosis, and Klippel-Feil syndrome.
Treatments for spinal deformities strive to relieve pain, take some of the strain off the spine, reduce the appearance of the deformity, and prevent further damage to the spinal structure.
To decide on an appropriate treatment for patients in Riverside, California, Dr. Khamsi considers many factors including whether the deformity is stable or unstable. If the problem does not progress and does not cause severe symptoms, there are non-surgical treatment options.
Surgical intervention may be necessary if the curvature continues to worsen, compresses the organs, or it’s associated with severe pain and disability. For such cases, spinal surgery aims to correct the deformity as much as is safely possible, and take the pressure off the nerves and internal organs. This correction often requires osteotomies (controlled breaks in certain parts of bone) as well as use of instrumentation (screws and rods).
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