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Amandeep Bhalla, MD
Scoliosis in Long Beach, CA: Dr. Bhalla, orthopedic spine surgeon in Long Beach

Spinal deformities · Long Beach, CA

Scoliosis in Long Beach, CA

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Most curves are small, cause no pain and need nothing more than watching. Larger curves, and curves in adults, deserve an expert plan.

Scoliosis care in Long Beach, with patients welcome from across South Bay, Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119

Overview

What is scoliosis?

Seen from behind, a healthy spine runs straight down the middle of the back. In scoliosis it curves to the side in a C or S shape and the vertebrae rotate, which is why one shoulder blade or one side of the rib cage can stand out. A curve is called scoliosis when it measures more than 10 degrees on an X ray.

Scoliosis comes in two main forms. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis appears during the growth spurt, usually between ages 10 and 15, and has no known cause. Adult scoliosis is either a childhood curve that has carried on into adulthood or a new curve that develops in later life as the discs and joints wear unevenly. Adult curves are the ones more likely to cause pain, and they are a particular focus of Dr. Bhalla's practice.

Book a consultation(562) 427-8119
Scoliosis: patient care

Causes

Types and causes

Knowing which type of scoliosis you have shapes everything about how it is watched and treated.

  • Adolescent idiopathic

    The most common form, appearing during growth with no known cause. Runs in families.

  • Adult degenerative

    A new curve in later life as discs and facet joints wear unevenly, often with stenosis and leg pain.

  • Adult idiopathic

    A curve from adolescence that continues into adulthood and may slowly progress.

  • Congenital

    Vertebrae that formed abnormally before birth. Usually diagnosed in childhood.

  • Neuromuscular

    Curves caused by conditions that affect muscle control, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

  • After surgery or injury

    A fracture, infection or previous spine surgery can change the balance of the spine and lead to a curve.

Symptoms

What to look for

In teenagers scoliosis is usually painless and spotted by its shape. In adults, pain and nerve symptoms are more common than cosmetic change.

Common symptoms

  • Uneven shoulders or one shoulder blade that sticks out
  • An uneven waist, or one hip higher than the other
  • A rib hump when bending forward
  • Clothes that hang unevenly
  • Low back pain and fatigue after standing, especially in adults
  • Leg pain, numbness or trouble walking distances in adult curves

See a doctor right away if

  • A curve that is visibly getting worse over months
  • Shortness of breath with a large curve
  • New weakness or numbness in the legs
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

These can be signs of a problem that needs urgent care. Call (562) 427-8119 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Diagnosis

How we assess it

The goal is to measure the curve accurately, judge whether it is likely to progress and understand how it affects your balance and nerves.

  1. 01/Listen

    History and growth

    When the curve was noticed, family history, and in teenagers how much growth is left.

  2. 02/Examine

    Physical examination

    The forward bend test, shoulder and pelvic level, overall balance and a neurological check.

  3. 03/Image

    Standing full spine X rays

    The curve is measured in degrees. Standing films show how the whole spine balances over the pelvis.

  4. 04/Plan

    Watch, brace or treat

    Dr. Bhalla explains the size of the curve, the chance it will progress and what, if anything, needs to be done now.

Treatment

How it is treated

Most curves never need surgery. Treatment depends on the size of the curve, how much growth is left and, in adults, how much pain and nerve pressure it causes.

First: without surgery

Where almost everyone starts

  • Observation with repeat X rays for small curves
  • Bracing during growth to stop a moderate curve progressing
  • Scoliosis specific physical therapy and core strengthening
  • Anti inflammatory medication for adult curves during flares
  • Injections for nerve pain caused by stenosis within the curve

When needed: surgery

The least invasive option that will work

  • Decompression alone for leg pain in a stable adult curve
  • Fusion with rods and screws to correct and hold a large or progressing curve
  • Minimally invasive and lateral approaches for selected adult curves
  • Navigation and robotic guidance for precise screw placement
Scoliosis: treatment

Everyday care

Living well with scoliosis

A curve does not have to limit your life. These habits protect your back whether or not you ever need treatment.

  1. 01Stay active. Sport and exercise do not make curves worse and keep the back strong.
  2. 02Build core and back strength with a program designed for your curve.
  3. 03Keep follow up X ray appointments during growth so changes are caught early.
  4. 04If a brace is prescribed, wear it for the hours recommended. Consistency is what works.
  5. 05Adults: manage weight and avoid smoking to slow disc wear within the curve.
  6. 06Tell your doctor about new pain, numbness or a change in balance.

Questions

Things patients ask about scoliosis.

If your question is not here, call the office. We are happy to talk it through.

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Did my child do something to cause this?

No. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is not caused by posture, heavy backpacks, sport or anything a child or parent did. It has a genetic component and simply appears during growth.

Will the curve keep getting worse?

In teenagers, progression depends on the size of the curve and how much growth remains, which is why regular X rays matter. Small curves usually stop when growth stops. Adult degenerative curves can slowly progress, typically by a degree or two a year.

When is surgery recommended?

In adolescents, usually for curves beyond about 45 to 50 degrees that are still progressing. In adults, surgery is driven less by the number and more by pain, nerve symptoms and loss of balance that have not improved with other care.

Can adult scoliosis be treated without a big operation?

Often, yes. Many adults are helped by therapy, injections and, when nerve pain is the main problem, a smaller decompression. A full correction is reserved for curves that are causing real disability.

Near you

Scoliosis treatment in Long Beach, CA

If you are living with scoliosis in Long Beach or a nearby city, Dr. Bhalla can examine you, explain your options and plan the least invasive treatment that will work. Dr. Bhalla leads the Spine Center at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.

Most people start with a consultation and imaging. Patients come from Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Orange County and across Southern California.

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Patients come to us from

  • Long Beach
  • Signal Hill
  • Lakewood
  • Seal Beach
  • Los Alamitos
  • Cypress
  • Bellflower
  • Torrance
  • Huntington Beach
  • Carson

Not on the list? We see patients from across Southern California.

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