Scoliosis

Expert treatment from UI Health Care specialists can relieve scoliosis pain and improve posture. If needed, minimally invasive scoliosis surgery is available.

Request an Appointment

For requests:

1-800-777-8442

For Neurosurgery related requests:: 1-319-356-2237

For Orthopedics and Rehabilitation related requests:: 1-319-356-2223

Find Pediatric Care

University of Iowa Health Care neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons care for adults who have scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

With expert help, most people who have scoliosis do well without surgery.

In addition to physicians, our team includes physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, and advanced practice providers.

All are trained in helping people with scoliosis manage pain and maximize function.

If you do need spine surgery, our team is the most experienced in the state. We offer a range of surgical options and will customize a plan that meets your needs.

Scoliosis types and symptoms

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine, or backbone, has an abnormal sideways curve of more than 10 degrees.

Normally, your spine has a slight natural curve.

When you have scoliosis, your spine bends into a sharper C or S shape. Scoliosis is diagnosed most often in children. UI Stead Family Children's Hospital offers pediatric scoliosis care.

Types of scoliosis

In adults, scoliosis can take one of two forms:

Idiopathic adult scoliosis, or scoliosis without a known cause, is most common. It's present during adolescent years and can become worse during adulthood.
Degenerative adult scoliosis begins after age 40 and is caused by a combination of age and deterioration of the spine.

Less frequent causes of scoliosis include:

Osteoporosis (most common in older people, especially women)
Previous fractures of the spine
Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
Infections and tumors of the spine

Scoliosis symptoms

Symptoms can include:

Backache or lower back pain
A tired feeling in your middle back after sitting or standing a long time
Uneven hips or shoulders (i.e., one shoulder higher than the other)
Visible curving of your spine to one side

Scoliosis treatment from UI Health Care

To determine how much your spine is curved, your physician will do a physical exam. They'll also take X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to visualize the curve.

Treatment options for scoliosis vary depending on several factors, including:

Your age
The cause of your scoliosis
Where the curve is located on your spine
How big the curve is (usually measured in degrees). Mild curvature is 20 degrees or less and moderate is up to 40 degrees. If your curve is more than 45 degrees, it might require more aggressive treatment.
Whether your scoliosis is causing severe pain or other debilitating symptoms

Nonsurgical scoliosis treatment

Most scoliosis is treated without surgery. Your specialist might recommend:

Observation to see whether the curve of your spine is getting worse
Spine rehabilitation to help you stretch and strengthen your back muscles and stabilize your spine
Pain medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen)
A back brace to help with pain, improve your posture, stabilize the curve, and potentially reduce the curve slightly

Scoliosis surgery

A curve that keeps getting worse can cause other problems in addition to back pain. You could experience nerve pain and issues with your heart, lungs, bowel, and bladder.

If you don't respond to nonsurgical treatments and your spinal curve is 50 degrees or more, your doctor may recommend spinal fusion surgery. This procedure will stabilize your spine and stop the curve from getting worse.

UI Health Care orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons are highly skilled in spinal fusion surgery. It can often be performed in a minimally invasive way, which means less pain and a faster recovery for you.

What to expect if you have scoliosis surgery

Surgery will decrease the curve in your spine and eliminate pressure on your spinal nerves to reduce your pain.

In most cases, it can be a minimally invasive procedure like the following:

Surgery happens while you're asleep under anesthesia.
Your surgeon will make a few small incisions in your front, side, or back.
Guided by advanced imaging technology, they'll insert very small surgical instruments through the incisions.
They'll straighten the curve and attach metal rods to hold it in place.
Small pieces of bone (usually taken from the pelvis) or metal hardware are placed alongside the vertebrae. They will fuse together with your spine as it heals.
If you have a herniated disc, your surgeon may also remove it (discectomy) during the same surgery.

Recovering from scoliosis surgery

You can expect to stay in the hospital for one to three days. A physical therapist will work with you to help you move around and walk.
You'll follow up with your surgeon about two weeks after you're discharged. They'll let you know how often they want to see you as you recover.
In about four to six weeks, you can return to work and light daily activities.
It takes time for the bones to fuse completely, so your full recovery might take four to six months.