Our fellowship-trained spine surgeons have specialized training in adult degenerative scoliosis — the most common type we treat. Whether your curve developed gradually with age or progressed in adolescence, we offer a thorough evaluation and individualized treatment plan.
The majority of scoliosis patients we see are adults experiencing back pain, leg pain, or progressive deformity from degenerative spinal changes — not adolescents with idiopathic curves. Adult degenerative scoliosis develops as discs and facet joints wear unevenly over time, causing gradual lateral curvature that is often accompanied by spinal stenosis, nerve root compression, and sagittal imbalance.
Unlike adolescent scoliosis, adult degenerative curves are often painful and are frequently associated with neurological symptoms. Treatment decisions are guided by the degree of functional limitation, the severity of neurological compromise, and the patient's overall health and goals — not curve magnitude alone.
Adult degenerative scoliosis treatment is highly individualized. Goals include relief of pain, improvement in neurological symptoms, correction of deformity, and restoration of sagittal balance — while minimizing surgical risk appropriate to each patient's age and health status.
Surgery for adult scoliosis is considered when pain is severe and debilitating despite adequate conservative care, when neurological function is declining, or when progressive deformity threatens long-term quality of life. The scope of surgery — from limited decompression to multi-level instrumented fusion with deformity correction — is tailored to each patient's unique presentation, goals, and medical fitness.
Sagittal balance restoration is a critical goal in adult deformity surgery. Evidence consistently demonstrates that restoring lumbar lordosis and overall alignment leads to better functional outcomes and higher patient satisfaction than curve correction alone.
General medical consensus supports a careful, stepwise approach to adult scoliosis — reserving larger reconstructive procedures for patients who are medically optimized and have failed conservative management.
While adult degenerative scoliosis is the more common presentation in our practice, we also evaluate adolescents and young adults with idiopathic scoliosis. For growing patients, bracing is recommended for curves between 25–45 degrees; surgery is considered for curves exceeding 45–50 degrees or those progressing rapidly despite bracing.
Posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion in adolescents carries a high rate of successful correction and durable long-term outcomes in experienced hands.
Our surgeons take a conservative approach — surgery is recommended only when it is clearly the best option. Schedule a consultation and we will walk through your imaging, history, and all available treatments together.
Our fellowship-trained spine specialists will evaluate your condition and discuss every available option — surgical and non-surgical.