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Scoliosis is a three-dimensional curvature of the spine that is most commonly found in adolescent girls, although both sexes and people of any age can develop the condition. Unlike a straight spine, where the vertebrae face forward, with scoliosis some of the vertebrae are twisted in a curved spine. Scoliosis generally has either a single C-shaped curve or a double S-shaped curve.

Each case of scoliosis is as unique as the person who has the condition. Sometimes the patient needs periodic observation by a physician, and in other cases, wearing an orthotic brace is beneficial. But when the curve measures more than 40-45 degrees, surgery may be the best treatment plan.

At University Hospital, a variety of treatment options are offered for patients seeking care for scoliosis and scoliosis-related conditions. These include both surgical and nonsurgical techniques provided by experts in neurological surgery and orthopaedics.

Precision is key during back surgery to minimize the potential for serious injury to surrounding nerves. Surgical services at University Hospital are enhanced by the availability of the state-of-the-art Stealth surgical navigation system. This system utilizes sensor-based optical tracking computer technology to accurately pinpoint areas of the spine on a “map” in real time during surgery, giving the surgeon a much more precise view of this critical location. Additionally, intraoperative spinal cord monitoring allows the surgeons to constantly monitor nerve activity during the operation, which minimizes the risk of damage to the nerves contained within the spinal cord.

Another key element of the surgical treatment of scoliosis at University Hospital is the availability of a full-scale bloodless, or transfusion-free, program. The nature of back surgery provides the potential for significant blood loss. University Hospital is one of the few healthcare facilities in the nation to offer bloodless techniques for scoliosis surgery that allow patients to safely avoid the use of donated blood.