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When considering spine surgery for the treatment of scoliosis, it is important to know and understand the options before committing to a scoliosis treatment approach. Minimally invasive spine surgery and open scoliosis back surgery is an action reserved for patients with severe structural scoliosis deformities. Most often, these are patients with a curvature measuring over 50 degrees or more with a high risk of future progression. Scoliosis specialists may recommend one or a combination of spinal fusion techniques after assessing the location of the curvature and its severity. Patients with less curves my require surgical intervention as well if associated conditions such as severe stenosis occur.
Scoliosis Surgical Spinal Fusion Treatments for Adolescent & Adult Scoliosis
For patients suffering from scoliosis of the spine, surgery is not the only option. In many cases, deformities first diagnosed in youth can be treated non-invasively. Bracing is a scoliosis treatment commonly prescribed for patients diagnosed with juvenile or early adolescent scoliosis. At this time, bone growth is still underway and as such, further deformities can be reduced with the wearing of a brace. However, scoliosis surgery may be the preferred option for patients with extreme curvatures, causing severe spinal and back pain as well as additional health complications. Read on to learn about the spinal fusion approaches available to individuals with such a diagnosis:
Anterior Spinal Fusion: Anterior spinal fusions are performed on the front of the spine through an incision in the abdomen or chest. During this procedure, the disc between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with a bone graft or bone morphogenic protein (BMP). The vertebrae are then stabilized with spinal instrumentation.
Posterior Spinal Fusion: Posterior scoliosis spinal fusion surgery is performed on the rear of the spine through an incision in the back. As with the anterior procedure, posterior spinal infusion involves the insertion of bone grafts between the vertebrae and often, supportive instrumentation that holds the spine in alignment during the 6 to 9 months it takes for a spinal fusion to heal.
Anterior-Posterior Spinal Fusion: This procedure involves the fusion of the vertebrae from both the front and the back of the spine for increased stabilization and strength.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: In certain cases, minimally invasive surgical techniques can be used in place of open surgical procedures. Here, spinal surgeons perform the fusion through small incisions, resulting in fewer disturbances of the surrounding tissue and muscle. Minimally invasive spine surgeries may offer the benefits of a shortened recovery period. It is important to remember that overall outcomes are similar between traditional open techniques and minimally invasive surgery. Oftentimes, posterior spinal fusions can be performed minimally invasively, especially when used as a supplementary procedure to an anterior approach. |
