Is persistent back pain, poor posture, or an uneven shoulder height affecting your daily life? These may be signs of a spinal deformity. Dr. Seth Grossman, our board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, provides personalized, patient-first care, always exploring non-surgical treatments first before recommending advanced surgical correction when appropriate.
Restore Your Spine’s Natural Alignment
Spinal deformities are conditions that cause the spine to lose its normal alignment or curvature. They may develop during childhood, result from aging, injury, or previous spine surgery, and can affect posture, balance, and mobility. Common spinal deformities include scoliosis, kyphosis, and flatback syndrome.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine that may develop in children or adults. While mild cases may cause few symptoms, more severe curves can lead to uneven shoulders or hips, chronic back pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty standing upright. Adult scoliosis may also progress over time due to spinal degeneration and aging.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is an excessive forward curvature of the upper spine, creating a hunched appearance. It can occur due to poor posture, fractures, degenerative conditions, or congenital abnormalities. Depending on its severity, kyphosis may cause persistent back pain, muscle fatigue, stiffness, balance problems, and difficulty performing everyday activities comfortably.
Flatback Syndrome
Flatback syndrome occurs when the lower back loses its natural inward curve, making it difficult to stand upright without bending the knees or leaning forward. Many people experience chronic back pain, fatigue, poor posture, and reduced walking endurance. Previous spinal surgery, degeneration, or certain spinal conditions can contribute to its development.
Signs & Symptoms of Spinal Deformities:
- Persistent neck or back pain
- Uneven shoulders or hips
- A visibly curved or hunched spine
- Difficulty standing fully upright
- Leaning forward while walking
- Poor posture or spinal imbalance
- Muscle fatigue after standing or walking
- Reduced flexibility or range of motion
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Difficulty walking long distances
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Shortness of breath in severe cases
Procedures for Spinal Deformities
No two spinal deformities are alike. After a comprehensive evaluation that includes advanced imaging, a physical examination, and a discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals, Dr. Grossman develops a personalized treatment plan. When surgery is appropriate, he carefully selects the procedure best suited to restoring alignment and improving function.
Spinal Deformity Correction
Spinal deformity correction is performed to restore proper spinal alignment, improve balance, and relieve pain caused by abnormal curvature. During surgery, Dr. Grossman carefully realigns the spine using specialized instrumentation, including rods and screws, to stabilize the corrected position. In many cases, spinal fusion is performed to encourage the affected vertebrae to heal into a single, stable structure, thereby reducing the progression of the deformity.
Complex Revision Spine Surgery
Complex revision spine surgery is recommended when previous spine surgery has failed to provide lasting relief or has resulted in complications like hardware failure, persistent deformity, nonunion, or imbalance. It may involve removing or replacing implants, correcting residual deformities, decompressing nerves, and reconstructing unstable spinal segments. Careful preoperative planning and advanced techniques help restore alignment, improve spinal stability, and address the underlying cause of ongoing symptoms.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Dr. Seth Grossman is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon dedicated to delivering personalized, patient-first care for even the most complex spinal conditions. Serving patients throughout New Jersey, he offers non-surgical treatment whenever possible and recommends surgical solutions only when they offer the best path forward. If you’re living with a spinal deformity like scoliosis, kyphosis, or flatback syndrome, schedule your consultation to explore your treatment options today.
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