Spinal Deformity Surgery

Spinal deformity surgeries repair abnormalities or misalignments in the shape, curvature, or flexibility of the spine.

Decompression surgery is used to treat

Kyphosis

Lordosis

Scoliosis

Dr. Erica Bisson scrubbed up and performing spine surgery.

The spine curves naturally to support the body's weight. When the spine curves too far forward at the top (kyphosis), curves inward instead of outward at the bottom (lordosis) or to either side (scoliosis), this is called spinal deformity.

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Best candidates for spinal deformity surgery

All patients are recommended treatment on a case-by-case basis. You may be recommended for spinal deformity surgery if the curve of your spine is:

Causing severe pain
Compressing your organs
Continuing to get worse
Unresponsive to conservative care

You may also need to undergo physical therapy and spinal injections before surgery to comply with your health insurance requirements and to reduce risks of unnecessary surgery.

Benefits of spinal deformity surgery:

Better posture and appearance
Improved mobility and function
Pain relief
Prevention of worsening deformity

Risks of spinal deformity surgery:

Surgery always comes with some risks, including the following

Injury to the nerve root
Leaking of spinal fluid (may cause headaches)
Blood clots
Allergic reactions or complications from anesthesia
Infection
Hardware failure

What to expect

Your experience may vary depending on the approach your surgeon uses. Your surgeon will make an incision in your skin and move the muscles in the area to expose the curvature. Depending on the type of surgery being performed and the severity of the condition, they will then remove bones in the spine, cut ligaments, or use rods and screws to achieve a more natural alignment of the spine and to correct the abnormality.

How to prepare for surgery

If you are scheduled for spinal deformity surgery, our care team will guide you in preparing for the procedure. An anesthesiologist will ask you questions to evaluate the right amount of anesthesia you'll need during surgery. Your care team may also order blood work or other preoperative tests depending on any underlying health conditions you may have. You may also need approval from your other providers before moving forward with spinal decompression surgery.

To prepare for surgery you must:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet
Minimize the use of narcotics (painkillers)
Work with your provider on changes to blood thinners or blood pressure medication
Avoid eating after midnight the day before surgery

Recovery

After surgery, you must:

Avoid showering until the next day
Avoid baths for a month (soaking your incision in water may increase your risk of infection)
Avoid lifting heavy objects for a month
Use ice, heat, or anti-inflammatory medicine for mild pain relief

In rare cases, your surgeon may temporarily prescribe narcotic pain medication.

Signs of healing

During your recovery, you may experience the return of sensation as previously numb areas begin to normalize, as well as muscle twitching and restless legs. These symptoms are a normal part of your recovery and not a cause for concern. If you experience intense pain at the incision site or develop fever and chills, contact our team immediately.

Follow-up care

You will have a follow-up appointment with your spine provider six weeks after surgery. We may schedule you for another follow-up visit up to six months after your surgery, depending on where you are in your recovery process. Physical therapy can improve the results of your surgery.

Success Rate

Spinal deformity surgery has a high success rate. Many of our patients report less pain and better mobility after surgery. Over time, you will be able to resume some activities you once had to avoid because of your spinal condition.

Why choose University of Utah Neurosurgery Spine Group?

We are the destination for complex spine patients in the Mountain West. Our spine surgeons perform a high volume of procedures each year, and are both experienced and successful. We also publish our research findings for other physicians and surgeons to learn.

With the University of Utah Health Neurosurgery Spine Group, you will receive care from an experienced team of experts who are national leaders in spine surgery and who train residents, fellows, and other physicians.