Spinal deformities include a wide variety of conditions affecting children and adults.

A healthy spine has three gentle curves that provide balance and flexibility while supporting the body’s weight. The lower spine curves inward, the middle spine curves outward slightly and the neck curves back inward.

Abnormal curves put the spine out of alignment and can be present at birth. Often a mild spinal deformity will have no symptoms. More severe cases, however, can interfere with nerves,  producing pain, numbness or weakness that travels down the arms, legs or both.

The spine specialists at Norton Leatherman Spine have internationally recognized expertise in spinal deformities. Their experience and expertise provide state-of-the-art techniques and complex surgical treatments for severe cases and nonsurgical treatments for mild cases.

The combined team of orthopedic spine and neuroscience specialists at Norton Leatherman spine provides comprehensive care.

Treatment

• Observation: We recommend observation for minor cases and curvatures of the spine that aren’t getting worse or causing issues. Observation includes visits at regular intervals to ensure the curve is not progressing.
• Medications: We may prescribe medications to help treat pain and reduce inflammation.
• Bracing: We may recommend bracing for children with curves within a range of severity.
• Injections: Injections can treat pain and reduce swelling.
• Surgery: Our physicians may recommend surgery for severe spinal deformities that cause pain or other difficulties, and curves that could get worse over time.

About Norton Leatherman Spine

Norton Leatherman Spine is a combined team of orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists who provide care for adults and children from Louisville and Southern Indiana, as well as from across the region, nation and world.

• A multidisciplinary team of 45 specialists offers a comprehensive array of treatment options that include medication, pain management, rehabilitation and surgery, including minimally invasive procedures and neurosurgical therapies.
• Norton Leatherman Spine physicians are widely renowned and exceptionally experienced, performing more than 4,000 surgeries a year.
• Our specialists are internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, and have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the most prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world.
• Norton Healthcare is the first health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV.
• We use the EOS Imaging system, which collects high-resolution images while exposing the patient to 50% to 85% less radiation than traditional X-rays and 95% less than basic CT scans. The system is especially beneficial to scoliosis patients who often need repeated imaging to monitor their progress.
• We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans.
• Use Norton MyChart to communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions, get alerted if an earlier appointment becomes available and more, anytime from a mobile device or computer