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Mount Sinai Spine Center
5 East 98th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10029

Mount Sinai Doctors Manhasset
1155 Northern Boulevard,
3rd Floor, Suite 300
Manhasset, NY 11030

Adult Spinal Curvatures

Adult spinal curvatures is comprised of a very diverse group of patients from ages 21 and older. Adult spinal curvatures includes conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis or roundback, spondylolisthesis, and flatback.

Patients usually experience pain which can be severe and may impact an individual’s ability to carry on with their daily activities and recreational pursuits. They are often unable to do the things they could do only a short while ago. The individual’s condition affects their quality of life. Progression or worsening of their spinal curvatures over time is very common. Many individuals, especially women, have osteoporosis that usually requires treatment.

Patients are offered non surgical alternatives when appropriate including exercise, physical therapy, injections and finally surgery. Occasionally, surgery is the first option depending on the severity of the spinal curvatures and symptoms. Younger patients present with spinal curvatures and are offered surgery to prevent worsening, and late back pain and disability and in severe cases pulmonary or breathing problems. Older patients pain and disability but often HATE their spinal curvatures and want to improve their body image. Each surgery is individualized , some requiring an extensive spinal fusion and others a more limited fusion.

The most important aspects of surgery for any patient is to customize the treatment and address the goals of the patient-whether that be pain relief, improved function, correction of spinal curvatures and to do so in the least invasive way possible and with safety as the most important consideration as I would want for my own family member.

Cathy’s Story

Cathy is a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 15 and wore a brace for approximately 1-½ years. She had severe back pain when she first visited Dr. Lonner. She had done physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and was on narcotic medication, all with limited relief. Dr. Lonner performed a combined VATS and posterior spinal fusion to correct her severe scoliosis. She has been doing very well post-operatively and is extremely happy with her decision to have surgery. She has returned to her normal life and her passion for singing. Cathy states, “I fully realize the magnitude of what you have done for me. You've given me a chance at a future with my family, friends, potential grandchildren 🙂 my music, and my job and future students for years to come.” Read more about Cathy’s story here. (link the word here to testimonial page where Cathy’s story can be found)

cathysstory

Susan's Story

Susan has lived with scoliosis her entire life. The spinal curvatures became worse and worse and finally when her pain became unbearable, she elected to have surgery with Dr. Lonner. Her severe curvature was corrected, she gained 3½ inches in height and she feels she has a new lease on life.

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Rosemarie’s Story

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Rosemarie’s testimonial: "This scoliosis surgery has given me back a part of my life that I had never dreamed of having again. I had put that part of me away and never hoped to have it again. Thank you very much Dr. Lonner!"