Spinal fusion surgery for adult scoliosis.

Adult scoliosis is a relatively common problem that can be a cause of back and leg pain. The mechanical back pain can be debilitating and the curvature of the spine can actually cause a visible deformity such as a shift of the upper body to the side or forward. Patients often also have spinal stenosis — narrowing around the nerves in the spine — that can cause pain, numbness, or fatigue in the buttocks or legs.

If nonsurgical treatment with medications, PT, and spinal injections fail to improve symptoms, then surgical treatment may need to be considered. Depending on the location and severity of the curvature, surgery typically involves a decompressive laminectomy to create more space for the nerves, as well as a spinal fusion with screws, rods, and bone graft to stabilize the spinal curvature.