Scoliosis

Scoliosis ranges widely in severity, and there are also different types with a variety of curve patterns. A comprehensive initial assessment classifies scoliosis based on patient age, type, severity, and curve location, and these factors shape the customization of treatment plans. Dextroscoliosis of the thoracic spine means the middle/upper back has developed an unnatural spinal … Read more

Scoliosis severity is determined by a measurement known as Cobb angle that’s based on curve size, but a patient’s angle of rotation (ATR) is also important because it shapes symptoms and treatment needs. High degrees of rotation are most closely associated with severe thoracic scoliosis and/or neuromuscular scoliosis. Rotoscoliosis is severe because it involves an … Read more

In addition to pain, scoliosis can cause postural changes and disruptions to balance, coordination, and gait. There are a number of factors that shape whether a patient’s scoliosis is painful, one of which is compression. Skeletal maturity plays a role in when scoliosis becomes compressive. There are some key differences between adolescent and adult scoliosis; … Read more

Like the rest of the body, the spine will experience degenerative changes with age and the cumulative effect of lifestyle factors. Spondylosis refers to general degenerative changes in the spine, affecting the discs and joints; spondylolisthesis, however, references the specific occurrence of a slipped vertebra. Both spondylosis and spondylolisthesis involve changes to spinal health and … Read more

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that captures high-resolution 3-dimensional images of an area in question, including soft tissue, bones, and organs. Disc desiccation is part of the degenerative process and contributes to degenerative disc disease (DDD). Disc desiccation can occur naturally with age. When we’re born, the discs are made largely … Read more

The spine’s intervertebral discs shape overall spinal health in a number of ways. Most degenerative changes in the spine start with the discs; they perform a number of key functions to facilitate the spine’s flexibility, structure, and ability to handle stress. Multilevel degenerative disc disease involves the spine’s intervertebral discs degenerating in more than one … Read more

Current estimates have close to seven million people living with scoliosis in the United States alone. While there are no treatment guarantees, many cases are highly treatable, and early detection and intervention increases the scope of nonsurgical treatment. There are a number of conditions that affect the spine, but scoliosis has some interesting characteristics that … Read more

Spinal health can be shaped by a number of lifestyle choices and factors; preserving its health and function involves maintaining a healthy weight, activity level, and strong supportive muscles. A spine-friendly lifestyle can slow age-related degenerative changes in the spine. Maintaining core strength is key. Spinal health is important for quality of life. A healthy … Read more

Spinal fusion surgery has the goal of stopping progression. Harrington rods revolutionized spinal fusion surgery in the mid-20th century, but have since been replaced by alternative spinal instrumentation and modern nonsurgical treatment options. Harrington rods are stainless steel implants used in spinal fusion surgery. Invented in the 1950s as revolutionary surgical instrumentation of the time, … Read more

Lordosis refers to an inward spinal curve, and while there is a healthy range of lordosis, if a person’s lordosis is excessive, it can disrupt the spine’s overall health and biomechanics. Common causes for hyperlordosis include weak and/or unbalanced core muscles, chronic poor posture, and obesity. Hyperlordosis is an excessive inward spinal curvature that commonly … Read more