Scoliosis and Deformity

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. When curves progress, cause pain, or compromise function, surgery may be the right answer.

OVERVIEW

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine involving lateral curvature, rotation of the vertebrae, and changes in the normal front-to-back curves of the spine. It is not simply a sideways bend — it is a complex structural problem that affects the entire spinal column.

In adolescents the cause is most often unknown (idiopathic), occurring during periods of rapid growth. In adults, scoliosis may be a progression of adolescent scoliosis or may develop de novo from degenerative changes in the discs and facet joints. Congenital scoliosis occurs when vertebrae form abnormally before birth.

Dr. Enguidanos has dedicated his career to treating the full spectrum of spinal deformity — from mild curves managed with observation to severe multilevel reconstructions requiring complex surgical correction. His fellowship training at the University of Colorado under Dr. Thomas Lowe, the former president of the Scoliosis Research Society, gives him one of the deepest deformity training backgrounds in the region.

SYMPTOMS

Common symptoms.

Uneven shoulders — one shoulder blade more prominent than the other
Uneven waist or hips — one side higher or more prominent
One side of the rib cage appears higher when bending forward
Back pain, especially in the lower back or mid-back
Fatigue from the muscular effort required to maintain posture
Reduced height over time in adults with progressive curves
Shortness of breath in severe cases where the rib cage compresses the lungs
Leg pain or numbness when stenosis accompanies the deformity

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

What causes it.

Idiopathic — no known cause, accounts for 80% of adolescent cases
Degenerative — disc and facet joint degeneration in adults over 40
Congenital — abnormal vertebral formation before birth
Neuromuscular — associated with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury
Post-surgical — deformity developing after prior spine surgery
Osteoporosis — bone loss leading to vertebral compression and collapse

WHEN TO SEEK CARE

When to call us.

You should seek evaluation if your curve is progressing on serial imaging, if you have significant pain that is not responding to conservative treatment, if you notice worsening posture or height loss, or if you have difficulty standing upright for extended periods.

For adolescents, a curve over 25 degrees warrants monitoring. Over 40 to 45 degrees in a growing child, surgery is generally considered. For adults, the threshold is more individualized — the impact on function and quality of life matters as much as the degree of curvature.

If you are seeking specialized care for a complex curve, or if prior surgery has not resolved your deformity, call Dr. Enguidanos’s office. These are exactly the cases his practice is built for.

Related Conditions

Quick Facts

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DR. ENGUIDANOS'S APPROACH

Thirty years of deformity surgery behind every decision.

Conservative Care First

Not every scoliosis curve requires surgery. Physical therapy, bracing in appropriate adolescent cases, pain management, and anti-inflammatory treatment are evaluated before any surgical recommendation is made.

Comprehensive Imaging Review

Dr. Enguidanos personally reviews full-length standing X-rays, MRI, and CT imaging. Three-dimensional understanding of the curve — its rotation, sagittal balance, and pelvic parameters — drives the surgical plan.

Fellowship-Level Deformity Expertise

Training under Dr. Thomas Lowe at the University of Colorado Spine Center gave Dr. Enguidanos the specific skillset required for complex deformity correction — multilevel fusions, osteotomies, and sacropelvic fixation.

Revision Cases Welcomed

If your prior scoliosis surgery did not achieve the desired correction, or if your deformity has progressed since a prior procedure, Dr. Enguidanos evaluates what can be done. Revision deformity surgery is among his areas of focus.

SURGICAL OPTIONS

How Dr. Enguidanos treats it.

The appropriate procedure depends on the severity of your condition, your health, and your goals. Dr. Enguidanos evaluates every patient individually.

FUSION

Posterior Spinal Fusion

The foundational procedure for scoliosis correction. Pedicle screws and rods are used to gradually correct the curve and fuse the spine in the corrected position.

DEFORMITY

Osteotomy

Controlled bone cuts that allow three-dimensional realignment of the spine. Used for rigid or severe curves that cannot be corrected with instrumentation alone.

STABILIZATION

Sacropelvic Fixation

Extension of the fusion construct to the pelvis using iliac screws. Required for long fusion constructs to prevent failure at the lumbosacral junction.

RECOVERY

What to expect after surgery.

1-3 Days

Hospital Stay

Most deformity corrections require a two to three day hospital stay for pain management and early mobilization.

2-4 Weeks

Early Recovery

Walking is encouraged immediately. Most patients return home within days and begin gentle activity within the first two weeks.

3 Months

Functional Recovery

Return to most daily activities. Bending and lifting restrictions are gradually lifted based on fusion progress on imaging.

12 Months

Full Recovery

Most patients achieve full functional recovery within one year. Fusion is confirmed on imaging before activity restrictions are fully lifted.

PATIENT STORY

★★★★★

"I was searching for a specialist who focused on complex scoliosis. Dr. Enguidanos sat with me for nearly an hour and explained exactly what he saw. Two years later I stand straight for the first time in my adult life."

PATRICIA M.

Adult Scoliosis Correction | Niceville, Florida

Ready to discuss your spine?

(850) 729-1444

Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity.