Spinal Deformities
What Are Spinal Deformities?
Spinal deformity is a permanent state when the spine is visibly out of its normal alignment so much so that it does not go back to normal in any position change.
Spinal deformity affects many people and increases with age due to degenerative conditions, arthritis, and osteoporotic compression fractures.
What Causes Spinal Deformities?
- Trauma
- Arthritis
- Congenital anomalies
- Tumors
- Infections
- Unintended consequences of radiation or surgical treatments
- Flat Back Syndrome
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Deformities?
- Worsening arthritis
- Damage to disks and bones
- Weakening of muscles that are overstretched or contracted
- Difficulty breathing or eating
- Not being able to look straight ahead or forward
- Spinal stenosis
- Disk herniation
- Synovial cyst
- Nerve pinching of the spinal cord
- Neurological symptoms
How are Spinal Deformities Treated?
Surgical treatments include:
- Minimally invasive spinal fusions
- Open short segments stabilization and fusion
- Extensive deformity corrections that require multiple large operations
Dr. Jenkins is at the forefront of developing minimally invasive treatments to reduce risk to the patient while providing relief from a deformity’s progression.
Many people have concerns about surgery and consequences like the reduced range of motion. In most cases, the range of motion after surgery is not very different from before surgery. Deformity correction can be a life-changing procedure that can benefit people of all ages.