Scoliosis causes abnormal curving of the spine. It can get worse over time and affect mobility and quality of life. When bracing and therapy are not enough, surgery may be needed to correct scoliosis. Abu Dhabi has excellent surgeons doing advanced scoliosis procedures.
This article explains what scoliosis is, who needs surgery, how it is done, the benefits and risks, and what recovery involves. Understanding scoliosis surgery in Abu Dhabi can help those with severe spinal curves consider their treatment options.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis causes the spine to curve abnormally to the left or right. The curvature is often S- or C-shaped when viewed from the back. Common causes include neuromuscular conditions, genetic factors, or idiopathic reasons. As the curvature worsens, it can cause the ribs to protrude, shoulders to slouch unevenly, and back to hunch. Pain, spinal stiffness, and loss of mobility may result.
Non-Surgical Scoliosis Treatments
For mild cases, scoliosis treatment starts conservatively with:
- Observation and monitoring for progression
- Bracing to prevent further curvature
- Physical therapy exercises to improve posture and strength
If these interventions fail to halt progression, surgery may become necessary. If the curve is severe already or if it worsens rapidly, surgery is often recommended. This is especially true for youth who are still growing. Severe untreated curves in growing spines lead to much worse deformities.
Catching scoliosis early on and trying non-surgical approaches first is ideal. But if these fail to slow progression, surgery should be considered to prevent permanent spinal damage and disability. An experienced scoliosis specialist can determine when surgery becomes the necessary and best treatment option.
Advances of Scoliosis Surgery in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi provides access to top scoliosis surgeons utilizing advanced surgical techniques like:
- Minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions
- Powerful imaging guidance for precision
- Segmental instrumentation to maximize correction
- Growth guidance systems for young patients
- Intraoperative neuromonitoring for safety
Patients from across the Middle East and worldwide travel to Abu Dhabi for access to these advanced scoliosis treatments. The skill of the surgeons, combined with the latest technologies and techniques, allow remarkable corrections not possible just a decade ago. Those suffering from progressive scoliosis can find life-changing relief through the innovative surgeries available in Abu Dhabi today.
Who Needs Scoliosis Surgery?
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves to the side. Some people with scoliosis may need surgery if their curve is very bad. Doctors think about surgery when:
- The curve in the spine is more than 45 or 50 degrees. The higher the number, the worse the curve.
- The person has tried wearing a back brace, but their curve keeps getting worse anyway. Braces are used to try to stop the curve from worsening.
- The person who has scoliosis is still growing. Curves often get worse as kids grow during puberty.
- The curve is so bad it’s causing lots of pain or making it hard to do normal activities.
Having a very curved spine can cause big problems later if it doesn’t get fixed. That’s why surgery to straighten the spine may be needed. The risks of surgery have to be weighed against the risks of leaving a major curve alone.
Doctors also think about the age of the patient, where exactly the curve is located on the spine, and what’s causing the scoliosis in the first place. All these things help them decide if surgery is the way to go or not.
What to Expect During Surgery
When someone has scoliosis surgery, they are given medicine to make them fall into a deep sleep so they don’t feel anything. The doctor makes cuts along their back to reach the curved part of the spine. Tools called rods, screws, wires, and bone grafts are used to reshape the curve and help the bones fuse back together right, which slowly straightens the spine.
Getting scoliosis surgery in Abu Dhabi is beneficial as it uses newer methods that can fix very big curves while making smaller cuts. This is less invasive. During surgery, the doctor watches the spinal cord carefully to make sure it’s safe. Special tools also help stop too much blood loss. This makes everything safer. The patient usually doesn’t feel or remember any of it because of the sleeping medicine. After a few hours, the surgery is done. Over time as the spine heals in the straightened position, the curve improves.
Potential Benefits of Surgery
Successful scoliosis surgery can:
- Significantly reduce abnormal spinal curvatures
- Decrease pain and discomfort
- Improve posture, balance, and appearance
- Allow return to normal activities
- Prevent curve progression and deformity
- Eliminate need for bracing
- Enhance breathing and heart function
- Increase confidence and quality of life
Recovery After Scoliosis Surgery
When having scoliosis surgery, the patient is put into a deep sleep so they don’t feel anything. The doctor cuts along the back to get to the curved spine. Rods, screws, wires and bone pieces are used to reshape the curve to straighten the spine. Newer methods can fix big curves through small cuts.
This is less invasive. During surgery, the spinal cord is watched to keep safe. Special tools stop too much blood loss. This makes it safer. The patient doesn’t feel anything because of the sleeping medicine. In a few hours, it’s done. As the spine heals in the straightened position over time, the curve improves.
Surgery Risks and Complications
Despite advancements, scoliosis surgery carries risks including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Instrument failure
- Loss of curve correction
Choosing an experienced surgical team minimizes these risks. Ongoing follow-up care is also essential to monitor for complications.
The Key Takeaway
If you have scoliosis and are thinking about surgery, talk to the best bone and spine doctors in Abu Dhabi. They can help decide if an operation could help make your curved spine better. New methods and tools are helping scoliosis surgeries work very well these days. The surgeries are safer than before and can fix the curves better.
The doctors of scoliosis surgery in Abu Dhabi do these surgeries a lot so they know how to help scoliosis patients the most. Going to top experts gives you the best chance of safely fixing your spine curve through an operation. Check with them to see if that option is good for your situation or not. They can guide you on what will help you the most.
