Scoliosis affects 6-9 million people in the United States. At Manhattan Orthopedics, located in Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Astoria, New York, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and spine surgery specialist Vikas V. Varma, MD, has over a decade of experience successfully treating scoliosis with innovative nonsurgical and surgical options. From pain-relieving injections to minimally invasive procedures, compassionate support, and extensive knowledge and expertise, Dr. Varma is here to help. Call our office or schedule a consultation online.
Scoliosis is a medical condition involving the sideways curvature of the spine. It most commonly happens during the growth spurt just before puberty.
Severe scoliosis in children, adolescents, or adults can be disabling. A particularly severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space in the chest and make it difficult for the lungs to function properly.
Symptoms of scoliosis include:
If a scoliosis curve worsens, the spine also twists or rotates and curves from side to side.
It isn’t clear what causes scoliosis. It might involve hereditary factors. Other possible causes include:
If you’re female and have a family history of scoliosis, you have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Dr. Varma devises a personalized treatment plan for your scoliosis that includes various treatments, such as:
Surgery might be the best solution to prevent the condition from worsening and to straighten more severe cases of scoliosis.
Even if you’ve been told you should undergo major surgery, Dr. Varma offers innovative nonsurgical and minimally invasive surgical options that could be life-changing.
Dr. Varma specializes in helping you make the right decision for your health care and selecting the right minimally invasive procedure when surgery is necessary.
The most common type of surgery for scoliosis is a spinal fusion, where Dr. Varma connects two or more of your vertebrae together so they can’t move independently.
He places pieces of bone or bonelike material between your vertebrae. That part of your spine is held straight and still with metal rods, hooks, wires, or screws, while the old and new bone material fuses together.
If scoliosis progresses rapidly at a young age, Dr. Varma can install a special rod that adjusts in length as your child grows. The growing rod is attached to the top and bottom sections of the spinal curvature. Dr. Varma usually lengthens the rod every six months.
If you have concerns about scoliosis, get the quality support you deserve by calling Manhattan Orthopedics or scheduling booking an appointment online today.