Adult Degenerative Scoliosis
Adult degenerative scoliosis occurs when degeneration of the spine begins to affect its natural curvature. It is most common in the lumbar (lower) spine as a result of disc degeneration and spinal stenosis. Itmay be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, numbness and tingling, or shooting pain down the leg (sciatica).
Treatment for Degenerative Scoliosis in Adults
Wait and see. For many patients without debilitating symptoms, the best approach is to simply monitor the condition. Pain medication can help with symptoms. Physical therapy designed to strengthen abdominal and back muscles can help provide support to the failing spine.
Braces. Braces may be worn for short-term pain relief in adults. Long-term use is not recommended, however, as it can weaken core muscles.
Core Stabilization. Physical therapy that focuses on strengthening the muscles in the core and back may help decrease pain and improve posture.
Aquatic Therapy. May reduce stress on joints and provide additional strength-building exercise.
Regenerative Injections. PRP and other treatments may be used to support spinal joint health.
Injections. Epidural and nerve block injections can help with pain.
Surgery. The goal of spine surgery for scoliosis is to restore balance to the spine, reduce pain by decompressing spinal nerves, and correct alignment through fusing and stabilizing the vertebrae.
As one of the best Phoenix scoliosis specialists, Dr. Baig will only recommend surgery for degenerative scoliosis in the most serious cases where more conservative measures have not worked or where the spinal curvature is causing severe pain and severely diminished quality of life.
The surgical techniques used vary depending on the needs of each patient. Dr. Baig uses endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures whenever possible.
Treatment for Scoliosis in Children & Adolescents
Wait and see. Patients with only a mild curvature who are still growing may not require any treatment at all; Dr. Baig will simply monitor the child or teen over time to see if the problem worsens. Physical therapy may be recommended. Mild scoliosis generally does not cause pain.
Brace. If Dr. Baig feels it is necessary, he will recommend a growing child with scoliosis wear a corrective brace. The brace won’t correct the curve that is already there, but it can keep it from getting worse until the patient stops growing.
Physical Therapy. Specific exercises – included those conducted under the supervision of a scoliosis-trained physical therapist – can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine while also helping the patient improve flexibility.
Schroth Method. A specific type of physical therapy designed for scoliosis patients, the Schroth method focuses on targeted stretching, breathing, and core strength exercises.
Surgery. Sometimes the abnormal curve continues to worsen over time, even into adulthood, or begins to cause pain and other symptoms. Dr. Baig will only recommend surgery in the most severe cases of idiopathic scoliosis, often when the curvature of the spine exceeds 40 degrees and results in symptoms like difficulty breathing or nerve compression that leads to numbness or weakness.
In rare cases, if the curvature is creating an undesirable appearance for the patient and the patient requests it, Dr. Baig may perform surgery to correct a smaller curve after having an in-depth conversation with the patient and their parents about the risks vs. rewards of scoliosis surgery in these mild cases.
It is important to know that while kids and teens can appear to have poor posture at times, this is very different from the medical condition of scoliosis. Sitting or standing straighter will not cure scoliosis, and poor posture will not cause scoliosis.
Get maximum relief with minimal risk
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
SPINE PROCEDURES
ENDOSCOPIC
SPINE SURGERY
STEREOTACTIC
SPINE PROCEDURES
NON-SURGICAL
TREATMENT OPTIONS
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
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Just how ‘minimal’ is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Book your appointment today and we'll be happy to educate you!
As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
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Looking for Advanced Scoliosis Treatment in Arizona?
As a healthcare institute that is dedicated to patient care, the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center provides focused care with the best course of treatment that is most suitable for your situation.
No matter what your condition or the prescribed treatment plan, Dr. Baig – one of the best doctors for scoliosis treatment in Arizona and the founder of the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center – and our entire team of providers believes in patient education and communication that is open, honest, and effective.
We believe in a conservative approach to the treatment and management of spinal conditions with an emphasis on treatment options like medications, injections, physical therapy, and others. Only when these options fail do we consider the surgical route for scoliosis care in Scottsdale, Goodyear, and Mesa, or at any of our other centers in Arizona.
Adolescent Scoliosis
Most cases of non-degenerative scoliosis develop during adolescence for unknown reasons (the medical term for this is idiopathic), although the condition does appear to have a genetic component. An abnormal curvature may be suspected by your child’s pediatrician during a routine physical (when your child bends forward, the telltale “s” or “c” shape becomes visible). In mild cases, it may only be possible to detect scoliosis on an X-ray.
As a father himself, Dr. Rafath Baig is passionate about caring for his young scoliosis patients. If your child has scoliosis or you suspect they do and you come to Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you should know that you will be in the very best hands as he is one of the best doctors for scoliosis treatment in Arizona.
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Best Scoliosis doctor and treatment center in Arizona
Abnormal curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. While some forms of scoliosis are congenital, meaning they were present at birth, the overwhelming majority of cases develop during adolescence, mostly in girls. While this can be concerning to parents, in many cases drastic measures are not needed to correct the problem.
Another form of scoliosis, called degenerative scoliosis, occurs in adults due to degeneration of the spine by spinal arthritis and/or disc damage.
Get Consultation from the Best Doctors for Scoliosis Treatment in Arizona
We understand that the hurt that chronic back pain can cause is not only physical; it is also mental and can affect overall quality of life. We can help you heal by identifying the root cause of your back pain and addressing it in the best possible way.If you’ve been advised to undergo surgery as a part of your scoliosis treatment in Phoenix, it’s time to get a second or even third opinion from us. We will help you make the best healthcare decision that is appropriate for your situation.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of the best doctors for scoliosis treatment in Arizona.
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