How to treat degenerative scoliosis

  Degenerative scoliosis is a condition in which the intervertebral discs and intervertebral joints degenerate with age, weakening the ability to support the vertebral body and causing the spine to bend to the side (scoliosis), mostly in the lumbar region. Early symptoms are mainly lumbar pain, and later the vertebrae are deformed with bone spurs and the spinal vertebrae are rotated, and sometimes these pathological changes compress the nerve roots and cauda equina, producing paralysis, pain, and low muscle strength in the lower extremities. In addition, as scoliosis worsens, it is accompanied by intractable low back pain, and the line of holding force of the trunk becomes worse, which significantly affects daily life.  In terms of treatment, conservative treatment such as wearing a brace is feasible when symptoms are mild, while surgery is necessary in severe cases. Surgery is sometimes simple, as the degenerative bone and cartilage are cut open (decompression), and the nerve roots and cauda equina, which are symptomatic due to compression, are decompressed to relieve the symptoms.  However, since osteotomy and decompression can further aggravate the degeneration and further instability can occur, depending on the degree of scoliosis and the state of nerve compression, it is sometimes necessary to take bone grafts from the pelvis and perform lumbar fixation and fusion, which then requires the implantation of special metal screws and rods or plates to support the fixed spine. Thus, we say that degenerative scoliosis, both in the choice of treatment and in the determination of the extent of fixation, is supported by professional knowledge and skills, and spinal surgery is the solution to these problems.