Anatomy of the Spine
The spine or backbone provides stability to the upper part of the body. It helps to hold your body upright. It consists of several irregularly-shaped bones called vertebrae appearing in a straight line. The spine has two gentle curves when seen from the side and appears to be straight when viewed from the front.
Spinal Curve Abnormalities
Spine deformity can be defined as abnormality in the shape, curvature, and flexibility of the spine. When the curves are exaggerated, pronounced problems can occur such as back pain, breathing difficulties and fatigue.
The different types of spinal deformities include:
- Scoliosis is a condition where the spine or backbone is curved sideways instead of appearing in a straight line. It curves like an “S” or “C” shape.
- Lordosis is a condition characterized by abnormal excessive curvature of the spine and is sometimes called swayback.
- Kyphosis is a condition where an abnormal curvature of the spine occurs in the thoracic (chest) region, resulting in the round appearance of the back.
Treatments of Spinal Abnormalities
There are different surgical approaches to repair these deformities and the choice of the approach is based on the type of deformity, location of the curvature, ease of access to the area of the curve and your surgeon’s preference.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
This is a minimally invasive technique performed using a small video camera. You will lie on your side. Four incisions of 1 inch each are made on the side of your chest wall. A thoracoscope, a thin instrument with a tiny camera and light at its end, is inserted through one of the incisions. The thoracoscope transfers images of the inside of the chest onto a video monitor, guiding your surgeon to perform the procedure. Retractor, suction and other surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions. Steps involved in the anterior approach are performed, which involves intervertebral disc removal, bone grafting, and instrumentation. The lung is deflated to gain access to the spine. The incisions are closed with an absorbable suture and the deflated lung is re-inflated.
For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us at or click here to request an appointment online. We'll respond to you as soon as possible.
