Treatment for Degenerative Scoliosis In New York

Most people associate scoliosis with childhood, but adults can and do develop it.  Sometimes, adult degenerative scoliosis arises because of a failure to treat the condition during childhood.  But scoliosis in adults is primarily due to the aging process and a natural degeneration of function in our spines.

Many of us begin to experience back pain from a variety of conditions as we age and scoliosis is certainly one of them.  But other spinal problems can lead to degenerative scoliosis.

Pain – to Be Heeded

As the vertebrae in our spines get older, we may experience pain because of the new physical conditions this represents.  We may have spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, or even vertebral compression fractures because of a loss of fluid to feed our discs.  These keep vertebrae from rubbing against each other.

All these conditions can cause a curvature in the spine, making it lean either right or left.  And that’s much more serious than just an aesthetic issue.  Imbalance in the spine can cause a variety of problems.

When the spine isn’t aligned normally, cardiopulmonary issues may arise, as well as nerve damage and a limping gait as the result of a disparity in the length of the legs.

If you’re suffering from back pain accompanied by a spinal curvature, we recommend that you attend our offices at Scoliosis & Spine Associates, for a diagnosis and treatment for degenerative scoliosis in New York.

Experience Scoliosis Expertise

The name of our clinic speaks clearly about the quality of our treatment for degenerative scoliosis in New York.  We specialize in scoliosis here, as our clinical lead, Dr. Lonner, is an acknowledged and widely-renowned expert in the treatment of this condition.

We thoroughly review your medical history and then do a detailed physical examination.  Following that, we’ll order imaging diagnostics like x-rays (with the possible addition of CT scans and MRIs).

Some patients may need a myelogram.  This diagnostic uses a liquid dye which is injected to reveal the extent of nerve impingement and to identify vertebrae implicated.

Scoliosis Treatment

If you’re seeking treatment for degenerative scoliosis in New York, we’ve got good news.  Most cases can be treated with non-surgical methods.

A combination of conservative therapies is applied, using soft tissue therapies, drug therapy and exercises to build up the muscles which stabilize your spine.

Some cases require bracing, which may be used as a corrective measure to straighten the spine and alleviate pain.

But if non-invasive therapies aren’t effective, surgery is sometimes recommended as a last resort.  This can also be the case for curves over 45 degrees in acuity and in those instances in which the curvature has impacted cardiopulmonary functions.

Treatment for degenerative scoliosis in New York may also be as simple as active observation, as we monitor your curve for signs of progression.  We’ll also work on body mechanics issues which may be exacerbating the problem, prescribing key exercises to strengthen you and to alleviate pain.

If you suspect degenerative scoliosis is causing your pain, contact us.