Adult scoliosis can be the result of untreated idiopathic paediatric scoliosis or may arise due to degeneration of the spine. With degenerative scoliosis the spine is usually stiffer that for a paediatric scoliosis, and vertebrae may have spontaneously fused together. This has implications for treatment of the curve.
No surgical treatment is usually recommended as first line management including injections, physical therapy and analgesic medications. For patients who have significant pain and dysfunction despite appropriate non-surgical management, surgery may be indicated. Surgery for patients with degenerative scoliosis may require management of the overall curve. Due to the stiffness of the curve there is often a need to perform multi-staged operations with both anterior and posterior surgery. This can be done in one stage or can be staged over different surgeries depending on the patient and surgical preferences.
Treatment options for this condition are best discussed with your doctor, as the decisions are complex and individualised for each patient based on a wide variety of factors. Dr Anderson is happy to discuss the options for management with patients.