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.

Spine Care From World-renowned Specialists

Norton Leatherman Spine is a world-renowned program delivering groundbreaking care and treatment for back, neck and spine conditions and procedures.

• Nationally recognized spine surgery fellowship program with over 150 trained fellows
• First in the world to perform robotic spine surgery using the Medtronic Mazor X Stealth Edition, demonstrating leadership in surgical innovations
• First health system in the nation to be recognized as an Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence by DNV
• First in the state of Kentucky to use the EOS Imaging system, a high-resolution image system with 50% to 85% less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays and CT scans
• More than 4,000 surgeries performed each year
• Recognized as a national benchmark for patient-reported outcome measures against spine surgeons across the nation, ensuring high-quality, data-driven care
• A team of 45 highly regarded specialists, including orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons and pain management specialists
• Internationally recognized leaders in clinical research of spinal disease, injury and deformity, opioid management, spine surgical innovations, scoliosis and more
• Specialists who have served in senior positions in the Scoliosis Research Society, the prestigious organization for scoliosis surgeons around the world
• Kenton D. Leatherman, M.D., the program namesake, was the first doctor in Kentucky to repair scoliosis surgically