Surgery for Kyphosis

Sometimes surgery is needed to reduce the kyphosis, and to reduce any pain that the curve is causing the patient. Surgery is generally considered when the kyphosis is severe, which is usually understood to mean curves greater than 70˚. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if your curve is progressing rapidly, your balance is affected, your nervous system is being affected, or you have persistent pain.

To correct the abnormal curve in your spine, surgeons will often seek to fuse the spine into a more normal curve. Spinal fusion involves placing small pieces of bone between the vertebrae. Over time these pieces of bone will grow and join, or “fuse”, the vertebrae on either side together. However, such fusion takes time to occur. To hold the spine in the correct position during the months that fusion takes to occur, the surgeon will use special spinal instruments. These instruments include small steel or titanium rods, bars, wire, plates, and screws. The instruments are attached to the spine and help hold the spine in a more normal curve. After surgery, the instruments cannot be seen as they are small and are inside your body.

Another surgical option is kyphoplasty. It’s a minimally invasive technique that can help restore the height of a vertebra that has been fractured, and thus help to reduce your kyphosis.

If your doctor recommends surgery, always ask the purpose of the operation, results you can expect, and possible complications. Feel free to ask for a second opinion if back surgery is suggested; this is your right. Your doctor will be happy to refer you to a specialist to re-evaluate your condition.