Spine Deformity Diagnosis and Treatment in New Jersey

When healthy, our spines form a distinctive shape. This structure aligns our bodies and enables our joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons to function properly. The normal structure can be altered into a maladaptive shape. Patients with this condition experience pain and difficulty with mobilizing, from mild discomfort when exercising to shortness of breath while sitting. There often are other painful neurologic and musculoskeletal symptoms associated with spinal deformities. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics has diagnosed and helped many individuals with back deformities by providing advanced, compassionate treatment at each of the Northern New Jersey locations. The CNSO expert team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons will provide an accurate diagnosis and relief from pain and disfunction cause by a deformed spine.

Adequately balanced curvatures of the spine provide flexibility and support.

Causes of Spinal Deformity

Back deformities have many causes, from genetics to trauma to age-related conditions such as osteoporosis. These conditions can affect the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine, shifting from normal lordosis (backward curve) or kyphosis (a forward curve).

Scoliosis

This condition occurs when the spine moves out of alignment and shifts toward one side in the lumbar or thoracic region. Idiopathic scoliosis is most often diagnosed in children at puberty, while arthritis commonly causes degenerative scoliosis in older patients.

Kyphosis

While kyphosis describes the healthy forward curve of the spine, kyphotic back deformities occur when poor posture or osteoporotic fractures bends the spine forward at an angle greater than 40 degrees.

Spondylolisthesis

A diagnosis of spondyloisthesis is given when the vertebrae slide forward or backward, disrupting the healthy alignment of the spine. This can happen either genetically or due to a .

Spondylosis

Wear and tear are a natural part of aging, but arthritis in the joints of the spine, known as spondylosis, can cause significant discomfort when bearing weight or during movement.

Spinal Deformity Symptoms

While some patients only experience mild symptoms attributable to a spinal deformity, others are faced with a wide spectrum of ailments depending on the severity of their condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Pain in the neck, back, legs, feet, hands, and arms
Difficulty walking or standing
Loss of balance or a sense of instability
Herniated discs
Pinched nerves
Compression of the spinal cord
Humped back or hunched over
Inability to stand up straight
Inability to extend the neck
A visible S-shaped curvature of the spine
Uneven hips
Legs of different lengths
Jutting of the chin
Shortness of breath
And more.

If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics immediately.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When you visit one of our Northern NJ locations, a CNSO physician will compile a thorough medical history, listen to your concerns, review all of your past diagnostic studies, and then perform a physical examination to identify the root cause of your neck, back and all other problem areas. There may also be the need to utilize advanced medical imaging techniques, including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT) scans to further analyze your condition if not already completed.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics is home to a highly trained team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons, who are dedicated to compassionate patient care – these specialties are the only qualified surgeons to diagnose and treat any condition of the spine, especially spinal deformities. Surgery, however, may not be the best first option. Conservative treatments will be recommended by the surgeons whenever possible, and if surgery is needed, you can feel confident in receiving the highest quality care available at CNSO.

Some of the treatments used for back deformities include:

After a consultation, your neurosurgeon and/or orthopedic spine surgeon will discuss with you at length your spine condition, all the available treatment options, then recommend your personalized course of treatment.

Learn More about Treatment for Back Deformities in NJ

Only an experienced spinal deformity neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon can identify and fully assess a deformed spine plus determine which course of treatment would be most effective. If you’re experiencing neck, back and other painful or debilitating symptoms, contact Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine, & Orthopedics today. With six locations serving Northern NJ, CNSO makes it easy to find pain relief and restore your quality of life.

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