Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Dec;4(4):159-67.
doi: 10.1007/s12178-011-9101-z.

Adult spine deformity

Christopher R Good  1 , Joshua D Auerbach, Patrick T O'Leary, Thomas C Schuler
Affiliations

Adult spine deformity

Christopher R Good et al. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Adult spinal deformity may occur as the result of a number of conditions and patients may present with a heterogeneous group of symptoms. Multiple etiologies may cause spinal deformity; however, symptoms are associated with progressive and asymmetric degeneration of the spinal elements potentially leading to neural element compression. Symptoms and clinical presentation vary and may be related to progressive deformity, axial back pain, and/or neurologic symptoms. Spinal deformity is becoming more common as adults 55-64 years of age are the fastest growing proportion of the U.S. population. As the percentage of elderly in the United States accelerates, more patients are expected to present with painful spinal conditions, potentially requiring spinal surgery. The decision between operative and nonoperative treatment for adult spinal deformity is based on the severity and type of the patient's symptoms as well as the magnitude and risk of potential interventions.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
X-rays of a patient with progressive adult idiopathic scoliosis before and after thoracolumbar reconstruction T10-pelvis. Correction was performed through anterior lumbar interbody fusion L4-Sacrum followed by segmental posterior pedicle screw instrumentation with iliac screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Post-operative radiographs show significant correction of the deformity with excellent coronal and sagittal imbalance
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Everett CR, Patel RK. A systematic review of nonsurgical treatment in adult scoliosis. Spine. 2007;32(19 Suppl):S130–S134. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e318134ea88. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Glassman SD, Berven S, Kostuik J, et al. Nonsurgical resource utilization in adult spinal deformity. Spine. 2006;31:941–947. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000209318.32148.8b. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Glassman SD, Schwab FJ, Bridwell KH, et al. The selection of operative versus nonoperative treatment in patients with adult scoliosis. Spine. 2007;32:93–97. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000251022.18847.77. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bridwell KH, Glassman S, Horton W, et al. Does treatment (nonoperative and operative) improve the two-year quality of life in patients with adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis: a prospective multicenter evidence-based medicine study. Spine. 2009;34(20):2171–2178. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a8fdc8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Baron EM, Berven SH, Bridwell KH, et al. Adult spinal deformity focus issue: summary statement. Spine. 2006;31(19):S202. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000233228.87606.e5. - DOI