Spinal conditions in children and adults

From overuse and injury to a genetic abnormality, there are many reasons why children and adults develop back conditions. While there are several factors that contribute to a back condition, which can often be treated conservatively, sometimes surgery is necessary. The expert team of orthopedic spine surgeons at HonorHealth can provide an accurate diagnosis, effective treatment plan and comprehensive rehabilitation services for children and adults who suffer from spinal conditions.

Pediatric scoliosis

Scoliosis is a medical condition that occurs when the spine abnormally curves sideways. While prevalent in people of all ages, the most common type, idiopathic scoliosis, typically occurs in children ages 10 to 12 and in their early teens, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

“Approximately three percent of children have some form of scoliosis, which is more common among girls, however only 10 percent of that population requires treatment,” said Michael Chang, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. “While the cause of scoliosis is unknown, we do believe that it is closely related to genetics and often runs in families.”

When eight-year-old Abby Bukata was diagnosed with scoliosis, the news didn’t come as a complete surprise to her parents Lisa and Michael. Abby’s father had scoliosis as an adolescent and underwent spinal surgery at age 18.

“When we met with Dr. Chang, he openly and honestly discussed treatment options with us,” said Lisa. “At that time, we didn’t see any noticeable changes. Abby felt fine and continued to play sports, but we knew that her spinal curvature would continue to progress and could eventually interfere with other organs and cause complications.”

Treatment for pediatric scoliosis is usually determined by the severity of the condition and may include monitoring, custom bracing or surgery to correct the spinal curve. However, it is often recommended that children wait until they enter puberty, during the early teen years, before undergoing surgery.

By the time she was 14, Abby’s spinal curvature became evident that it was time to move forward with a surgical intervention.

“It was a big decision and I was very nervous, but I knew she was in good hands,” Lisa said.

To correct scoliosis, orthopedic surgeons perform a spinal fusion and place screws that are then connected to rods in the spine to straighten the curvature. Experts say that surgery for scoliosis has tremendously evolved over the years and is now considered the most effective treatment approach.

“We now can surgically manipulate the spine to take the correct shape, improve cosmetic appearance, prevent the development of any heart or lung problems and achieve the best outcomes,” Chang said.

In May 2016, Abby had surgery at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. The procedure lasted approximately four hours and she spent three nights in the hospital.

“She did really well,” Lisa said. “The biggest concern was managing her pain, but that only lasted for a few days.”

Abby recovered for eight weeks over the summer before beginning her freshman year of high school. While she was unable to participate in contact sports for six months, she eagerly began playing tennis again last December.

Today, she is a thriving, healthy teenager.

Adult spinal conditions

As we age, degeneration occurs in the spine. The discs, which provide cushion between the vertebrae, become worn out, less effective, and cause back pain. This condition can often be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections or physical therapy. However, if the pain becomes uncontrollable, sometimes surgery is necessary.

“Spinal fusion surgery used to mean a large incision and long painful recovery, but recent advances in minimally invasive fusion techniques and instrumentation have made this a much less daunting procedure,” said Christopher Yeung, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. “Patients now recover quicker and have less pain.”

Another common spinal condition is a disc herniation, which could be acute and occur suddenly following an injury, or chronic due to wear and tear over time.

“When a herniated disc occurs in the neck or back, it pinches the nerve roots and causes severe radiating pain down the arm or leg,” Yeung said. “If there is also numbness, tingling, or weakness, the nerve may be damaged, indicating a more severe situation has occurred and needs to be addressed quickly to take pressure off the nerve and avoid permanent damage.”

Physicians review patient history, evaluate reflexes and muscle strength and perform X-ray or MRI spinal imaging to confirm a diagnosis. Highly specialized, minimally invasive surgical procedures are available at HonorHealth to treat herniated discs which are typically performed in an outpatient setting.

“We are able to make a small incision to access the spinal canal and remove the disc fragment,” Yeung explained. “If the herniated disc occurs in the cervical spine, we gain access through the front of the neck, which also leads to great results.”

Those who suffer from spinal stenosis, a gradual narrowing of the spinal canal, often can't stand, walk properly or go far distances. Surgery is often recommended to achieve a positive outcome.

“We remove the bone and diseased tissue to open up the spinal canal and make more room for the nerves” Yeung said. “This leads to a dramatic decrease in pain and increase in function.”

Learn more about pediatric and adult treatment for spinal conditions at HonorHealth.