Spinal Deformities

Spinal deformities range from mild to severe, and the expert team of doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center specializes in treating all of them. At the Spine Center, we offer our patients the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and techniques, including specialized spine imaging.

Our collaborative approach gives patients access to neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and physiatrists with one call. We strive to coordinate, facilitate, and expedite patient care and save our patients time.

About Spinal Deformities

Spinal deformities can be caused by many conditions, such as scoliosis and kyphosis – abnormal curvatures of the spine.

Deformities of the spine also can result from spinal fractures and conditions such as spondylolisthesis and ankylosing spondylitis. 

Some deformities can be corrected with physical therapy and bracing, while others require surgery.

Spinal Deformities: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of spinal deformity range from mild discomfort to severe pain.

If we suspect a spinal deformity, we’ll conduct a physical examination and order spine imaging studies. Tests, procedures, and studies used to evaluate and diagnose spinal deformities might include:

• Bone scans
  
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  
• Myelography
  
• Nerve conduction studies to measure electrical activity generated by muscles and nerves
• X-rays

Treatments for Spinal Deformities

After diagnosis, we make sure patients see the right experts to treat their specific symptoms and type of spinal deformity.

The treatment for spinal deformities depends upon their cause and severity. Our Spine Center experts treat spinal deformities with therapies that might include:

• Anti-inflammation drugs
  
• Biofeedback
  
• Cortisone injections
  
• Physical therapy
  
• Surgery

We’ll create a care plan that minimizes the number of visits a patient needs to make, while also providing all the support needed.

Research and Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of spinal deformities. Talk with our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.