Spinal Deformity
What is spinal deformity?
Spinal deformities refer to unnatural curvatures of the spine resulting from damage to the spinal column, such as damage caused by fractures or ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease), or various defects and congenital conditions that cause the spine to grow unevenly. Common spinal deformity types include Scoliosis, Kyphosis, and Spondylolisthesis.
How is spinal deformity diagnosed?
To diagnose a spinal deformity, a specialist will perform a physical examination and order X-rays of the spine. During an exam, the doctor will usually ask the patient to move into a few positions, such as a forward bend to observe the spine as it moves.
Individuals may experience symptoms differently depending on the type of spinal deformity. Some symptoms may include:
- Neck, back or leg pain
- Radiating pain that shoots into the arms, hands, legs or feet
- Physical signs of spine deformity
- Uneven hips, shoulders or leg lengths
- A hump in the upper back or bulging out from one side of the rib cage
- A deep inward plunging of the lower back
What are the risk factors for spinal deformity?
- Activities or occupations with a higher-than-average exposure to spinal injury
- Younger and older age. Young children may be more susceptible to such diseases as spinal tuberculosis that can lead to a type of spinal deformity, while older adults are at higher risk for spinal deformity due to such conditions as osteoporosis.
- Female gender for some types of spinal deformity such as spondylolisthesis
- Inadequate calcium or vitamin D levels leading to bone loss
- Personal history of neuromuscular or inflammatory disease processes
- Poor body mechanics when lifting
- Sedentary lifestyle
I’ve been diagnosed with spinal deformity. Now what do I do?
Trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is certified to treat a host of spinal conditions. We’re committed to treating every patient like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help speed recovery with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for spinal deformity?
Spinal deformity treatment aims to bring the spine into as normal an alignment as possible. Treating a spinal deformity will always depend on the underlying problem unique to the patient being treated, which is why our specialists closely evaluate patients and utilize advanced diagnostic tools to address the root of their symptoms. In many cases, patients may not experience pain because of the deformity, but may experience a severe restriction in movement, activity level and weakness. In other cases, the underlying condition that causes deformity may also cause severe and chronic pain.
Treatments for a spinal deformity may include:
- Observation and monitoring, particularly in young children
- Bracing
- Oral medications or vitamin supplements
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- Physical therapy and lifestyle changes
- Surgery
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.
What is spinal deformity?
Spinal deformities refer to unnatural curvatures of the spine resulting from damage to the spinal column, such as damage caused by fractures or ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease), or various defects and congenital conditions that cause the spine to grow unevenly. Common spinal deformity types include Scoliosis, Kyphosis, and Spondylolisthesis.
How is spinal deformity diagnosed?
To diagnose a spinal deformity, a specialist will perform a physical examination and order X-rays of the spine. During an exam, the doctor will usually ask the patient to move into a few positions, such as a forward bend to observe the spine as it moves.
Individuals may experience symptoms differently depending on the type of spinal deformity. Some symptoms may include:
- Neck, back or leg pain
- Radiating pain that shoots into the arms, hands, legs or feet
- Physical signs of spine deformity
- Uneven hips, shoulders or leg lengths
- A hump in the upper back or bulging out from one side of the rib cage
- A deep inward plunging of the lower back
What are the risk factors for spinal deformity?
- Activities or occupations with a higher-than-average exposure to spinal injury
- Younger and older age. Young children may be more susceptible to such diseases as spinal tuberculosis that can lead to a type of spinal deformity, while older adults are at higher risk for spinal deformity due to such conditions as osteoporosis.
- Female gender for some types of spinal deformity such as spondylolisthesis
- Inadequate calcium or vitamin D levels leading to bone loss
- Personal history of neuromuscular or inflammatory disease processes
- Poor body mechanics when lifting
- Sedentary lifestyle
I’ve been diagnosed with spinal deformity. Now what do I do?
Trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is certified to treat a host of spinal conditions. We’re committed to treating every patient like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help speed recovery with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for spinal deformity?
Spinal deformity treatment aims to bring the spine into as normal an alignment as possible. Treating a spinal deformity will always depend on the underlying problem unique to the patient being treated, which is why our specialists closely evaluate patients and utilize advanced diagnostic tools to address the root of their symptoms. In many cases, patients may not experience pain because of the deformity, but may experience a severe restriction in movement, activity level and weakness. In other cases, the underlying condition that causes deformity may also cause severe and chronic pain.
Treatments for a spinal deformity may include:
- Observation and monitoring, particularly in young children
- Bracing
- Oral medications or vitamin supplements
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- Physical therapy and lifestyle changes
- Surgery
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.