Scoliosis

Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI)

Neurological Surgery & Neurointerventional Surgeons located in Pomona, CA & Arcadia, CA

The characteristic spinal curve and rotation that occurs with scoliosis can cause postural deformities and pain. The experienced team at Inland Neurosurgery Institute can expertly manage adult scoliosis and help you find relief with a personalized treatment plan. Call the offices in Pomona and Arcadia, California, for an appointment or use the online booking tool to request your visit today.

Scoliosis Q & A

What causes scoliosis?

service image

In many cases, there’s no known cause of scoliosis, although it likely has a genetic component. Contrary to some popular beliefs, you can't develop scoliosis by carrying a heavy backpack or having poor posture.

What are the symptoms of scoliosis?

From the back, a scoliosis curve often looks like a C or an S, as the backbone curves to the side. A minor curve of 10 degrees, measured through an X-ray, usually indicates scoliosis but is unlikely to cause any major symptoms. As the curve progresses to 20 degrees or beyond, however, you may develop a bit of a slant or unevenness to your walk or stance. You, or other observers, may notice that your head is slightly off-center, or one hip seems higher than the other.

Scoliosis doesn’t always cause pain, but you may experience referred pain in your back, ribs, or neck. Muscle spasms due to your tilted body position can also occur. If you have scoliosis, it’s common to experience other spinal issues due to dysfunction caused by the abnormal curves in the spine.

How is scoliosis diagnosed?

The team at Inland Neurosurgery Institute can perform a spinal analysis to determine if you have scoliosis and the degree of the curve. The team often requests an X-ray, conducts a thorough clinical exam, and reviews your symptoms to confirm scoliosis.

How is scoliosis treated?

Though scoliosis is not curable, symptoms can be managed with ongoing care. Treatment depends on the degree of your spine’s curve and the likelihood of it getting worse.

In adults, one of the most effective treatments for severe scoliosis is fusion surgery. Spinal fusion for scoliosis consists of joining two or more vertebrae together using a combination of screws, rods, hooks, wires, and bone grafts. This approach safely straightens your spine and holds it in position while new bone grows that permanently fuses the vertebrae.

The fusion process does reduce your spine’s flexibility, but modern techniques minimize this problem. The Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) team uses minimally invasive techniques where possible to perform spinal fusion, which causes less tissue damage, reduces pain, and leads to a quicker recovery.

If you have scoliosis causing mobility difficulties or pain, call Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) today or request an appointment online.

What we offer