Scoliosis North West Palm Beach County Jupiter Island Virgin Island Florida FL

Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. When viewed from the side, the spine should show a mild roundness in the upper back and shows a degree of swayback (inward curvature) in the lower back. Large curves tend to cause discomfort while the small curves do not cause any problems. Scoliosis can occur at any age and is more frequent in girls than boys.

Scoliosis can be categorized into four basic types depending on the age, cause and spinal curvature:

Structural Scoliosis
Non Structural Scoliosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis (unknown cause)
- Infantile
- Juvenile
- Adolescent

Symptoms

Symptoms of scoliosis may include the following:

Uneven shoulder- one shoulder is more prominent than the other
Back Pain
Head is not centered
Abnormal curve of the spine
Lethargy
Breathing Problems

Treatment

Treatments for scoliosis include:

Braces

Bracing is the usual treatment choice for adolescents who have a spinal curve between 25 to 40 degrees — particularly if their bones are still maturing and if they have at least two years of growth remaining. The purpose of bracing is to halt progression of the curve. It may provide a temporary correction, but usually the curve will assume its original magnitude when bracing is eliminated.

Surgery

Those who have curves beyond 40 to 50 degrees are often considered for scoliosis surgery. The goal is to make sure the curve does not get worse, but scoliosis surgery does not perfectly straighten the spine. During the procedure, metallic implants are utilized to correct some of the curvature and hold it in the correct position until a bone graft, placed at the time of the surgery, consolidates and creates a rigid fusion in the area of the curve. Scoliosis surgery usually involves joining the vertebrae together permanently — called spinal fusion. In young children, another technique that does not involve fusion may be used since fusion stops growth of the fused part of the spine. In this case, a brace must always be worn after surgery.

Scoliosis surgery is not necessarily your only option for treatment. Treatment of Scoliosis is based on the physician’s assessment of the spinal curve, its cause, the age of the patient, and how much more the patient may grow. Treatment options include: Observation and bracing. Scoliosis surgery is an option for individuals with severe scoliosis to stop the curve from getting worse. Scoliosis surgery repairs the abnormal curvature of the spine. There are different surgical approaches to repair the deformity, and the choice of the approach to the spine is based on the type of scoliosis, location of the curvature of the spine, ease of approach to the area of the curve and the preference of the surgeon.

Anterior Approach
Posterior Approach
Anterior & Posterior Approach

Back Conditions

Dr. Lenard can help reduce or eliminate the back pain caused by these back conditions:

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) Treatment

Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical Radiculopathy is the clinical term for a condition which irritates the nerve in the cervical spine (neck). It is commonly called “pinched nerve” and it is caused by injury to the root of a spinal nerve. The discs between the bones of the spine bulge and lose height as we age, causing a nerve to become “pinched” by the bones. This results in sharp pain, or “pins and needles” sensation, or even numbness in the neck, shoulder, and arms. Read More

Spinal Cord Compression

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy is a condition where the spinal canal in the neck narrows, compressing the spinal cord and causing pain and stiffness in the neck, loss of balance, and a tingling sensation or numbness. CSM is usually caused by wear and tear from age. It is most common in people over the age of 50, although it can occur earlier if they have had an injury to the spine at a young age. Surgery is advised in many cases of CSM because nonsurgical treatments cannot reverse the compression most of the time. Read More

Herniated Disc

The flexible cartilage discs between the bones of the spinal column are filled with a soft gel that cushions the bones and allows the spine to twist and bend. Degeneration or damage to a disc can cause this gel to leak into the spinal canal and press against the nerve, causing pain. Read More

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis & Cervical Stenosis

Spinal Stenosis is a condition caused by narrowing of the spinal canal, which holds the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis in the lower back is called lumbar spinal stenosis and cause aching pain in the back, which can radiate into the buttocks, legs, and even feet. Stenosis in the neck is called cervical stenosis and causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg, foot, arm, or hand, and can also cause balance problems. Spinal stenosis is most commonly a result of advanced age, although some people can be born with it. Read More

Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis

Stress Fracture in the Spinal Column

A Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in one of the bones in the spinal column. It is the most common cause of lower back pain in adolescent athletes. Spondylolisthesis is when the fractured bone cannot maintain its position and begins to slip out of place, possibly slipping far enough to put pressure on the spinal nerves. Read More

Scoliosis

Lateral Curve of the Spine

A lateral (sideways) curve in the normally straight vertical spine is referred to as scoliosis. Small curves do not cause any problems, but larger ones often cause discomfort and pain. Scoliosis can occur at any age and is more common in females than males. Read More

Spinal Fracture

Medical Term Here

A Spinal Fracture is a break in one or more of the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. Depending on the extent of the injury, the ligaments that surround the vertebrae and the cartilage discs between may be torn as well. A spinal fracture can be anything from a single break to bones shattered into many pieces. Although severe fractures typically result from extreme trauma to the back, a spine weakened from osteoporosis (low bone density) can fracture as a result of less intense activity, such as heavy lifting or twisting too quickly. Read More

Degenerative Disc Disease

Pain Caused by a Damaged Disc

Degenerative Disc Disease, despite its name, is not exactly a disease. It is a condition which causes pain from damage to one of the discs between the bones of the spine. It most often occurs in the lower back and neck. Read More

Failed Prior Surgeries

Regardless of your past results, Dr. Lenard may be able to help. What many surgeons have been unable to resolve, Dr. Lenard can fix. Just because you have been told that you cannot be helped, does not make it so. Read More

Scoliosis

Symptoms

Treatment

Braces

Surgery

Back Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) Treatment

Cervical Radiculopathy

Spinal Cord Compression

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Herniated Disc

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis & Cervical Stenosis

Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis

Stress Fracture in the Spinal Column

Scoliosis

Lateral Curve of the Spine

Spinal Fracture

Medical Term Here

Degenerative Disc Disease

Pain Caused by a Damaged Disc

Failed Prior Surgeries

Contact Dr. Alexander Lenard

Call 561-836-7248