Spinal Deformity

Symptoms

Spinal deformity is not always painful. Pain may arise if the misshapen spine causes nerve root compression or irritation. Pain may also come from the facet or sacroiliac joints.

Description

Spinal deformity generally involves abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis and kyphosis are types of spinal deformity. The curves may result from degenerative changes, fractures, infection, malignancy or structural changes following spine surgery.

Treatments for Spinal Deformity

The treatment for spinal deformity depends on the type of the problem, age of the patient and pain severity. Pain is treated in much the same manner as nerve root compression, stenosis, facet joint pain or sacroiliac joint pain, depending on the results of the diagnostic evaluation. If there are significant structural problems, surgery may be undertaken in an effort to re-align the spine or stop progression of a worsening deformity.