Scoliosis Treatment in Queens

Scoliosis treatment at our Queens, NY location addresses spinal curvature at every stage of life, with individualized care plans ranging from physical therapy and pain management to advanced corrective surgery.

Scoliosis Affects Millions of Adults, and Most Never Get the Right Evaluation

Scoliosis is not just a childhood condition. Millions of adults live with it, whether from a curve that began in adolescence or from age-related degeneration that develops later in life. For many, back pain, leg pain, and postural changes are attributed to other causes for years before scoliosis is properly identified. At Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute, Queens patients receive the thorough diagnostic workup and individualized care that this complex condition requires.

Contact our Queens office today to schedule a scoliosis evaluation and find the right path forward.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, typically measuring 10 degrees or more on imaging. Rather than a straight vertical line, the spine curves to one side, often forming an S or C shape when viewed from the front or back. In many cases, the spine also rotates, which can cause visible changes in posture, uneven shoulders or hips, and a rib or flank prominence on one side.

Types of Scoliosis in Adults

Understanding the type of scoliosis is essential to planning appropriate treatment, as different types have different causes, progressions, and responses to intervention.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form overall, developing during the growth years without a clearly identified cause. Adults with AIS may have had a diagnosed or undiagnosed curve since childhood that has progressed over time, particularly after the age of 50 or following pregnancy.

Degenerative Scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis, also called de novo scoliosis, develops in adulthood as a result of asymmetric degeneration of the discs and facet joints. It most commonly affects the lumbar spine and is the predominant form seen in adults over 50. It is closely associated with spinal stenosis, which often develops alongside the curvature and contributes significantly to back and leg pain.

Neuromuscular Scoliosis

Neuromuscular scoliosis results from conditions affecting the nerves or muscles, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, and typically requires a specialized management approach based on the underlying condition.

Dr. Michael Gerling examining a patient's back

Symptoms of Scoliosis in Adults

In adults, scoliosis most commonly presents as pain rather than the postural changes that may be more visible in younger patients. Common symptoms include:

Chronic lower back or flank pain, often worse with prolonged standing or walking
Leg pain, numbness, or weakness from associated spinal stenosis
Visible postural asymmetry, including uneven shoulders, hips, or trunk shift
Reduced ability to stand fully upright
Fatigue from the muscular effort required to maintain posture
In severe cases, shortness of breath or early satiety from thoracic deformity

We’re here to help you move forward.

How Scoliosis Is Treated at Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute

The goals of scoliosis treatment in adults differ somewhat from those in children. In adults, because the skeleton is fully mature, treatment focuses primarily on managing pain, maintaining function, and preventing further progression rather than achieving curvature correction. Surgery becomes relevant when pain or neurological symptoms are severe or when the curve is progressing significantly.

Conservative Care

For the majority of adults with scoliosis, conservative management is the appropriate starting point. Physical therapy focused on core strengthening, postural correction, and flexibility helps reduce pain and improve the muscular support around the curved spine. Anti-inflammatory medications and activity modification are also important components of conservative care.

Bracing has a limited role in adults, as it does not correct or prevent the progression of a mature curve. It may be used in selected cases to provide postural support and reduce pain.

Interventional Pain Management

When scoliosis is accompanied by spinal stenosis or nerve root irritation, targeted injections can provide meaningful symptomatic relief. Options include:

Epidural steroid injections for nerve-related leg pain and stenosis symptoms associated with the curvature
Facet joint injections for facet-mediated axial pain common in degenerative scoliosis
Medial branch block injections and rhizotomy for longer-lasting facet pain relief
SI joint injections for pelvic pain associated with spinal imbalance

Minimally Invasive and Surgical Treatment

Surgical intervention is considered for adults with scoliosis when conservative treatments have not provided adequate relief, when neurological deficits are present or progressing, or when the curve is severe or continuing to progress. Only a minority of adult scoliosis patients require surgery, but for those who do, the potential benefit is significant.

Surgical options depend on the specific characteristics of the curve, the presence of spinal stenosis, the number of levels involved, and the patient's overall health and goals.

Spinal fusion is the most commonly performed procedure, using screws, rods, and bone graft to stabilize and partially correct the deformity while addressing any concurrent nerve compression. Where anatomy permits, minimally invasive techniques are employed to reduce the physical burden of surgery and support a faster recovery.

Are You a Candidate for Scoliosis Treatment in Queens?

Any adult experiencing back or leg pain, postural changes, or functional decline that may be related to spinal curvature is a candidate for evaluation. Many patients are unaware they have scoliosis or have not had it properly assessed in years. A current set of standing full-length spinal X-rays is the foundation of any scoliosis evaluation and provides the information needed to assess curve severity, progression, and alignment.

Surgical candidacy is determined by a careful review of imaging, symptoms, prior treatments, overall health, bone density, and the patient's functional goals. Our Queens team will provide a thorough, honest assessment and involve you fully in every step of the decision-making process.

Why Choose Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute?

Complex spinal deformity and adult scoliosis require a surgeon who understands both the structural and functional dimensions of the condition. Our team brings surgical depth across the full range of lumbar and spinal fusion procedures, combined with the research engagement and clinical rigor that distinguishes our institute.

Our Queens patients can trust that any recommendation made by our team reflects a thorough, evidence-based evaluation of their individual situation.

Scoliosis Treatment Frequently Asked Questions

Does scoliosis get worse with age?

Adult scoliosis can progress over time, particularly curves in the lumbar spine associated with degenerative disc disease. Curves greater than 30 degrees are more likely to progress than smaller ones. Regular monitoring with standing X-rays allows our team to track any changes and adjust treatment accordingly.

Can physical therapy cure scoliosis?

Physical therapy cannot straighten an existing curve in adults, as the spine is fully mature. However, it can significantly reduce pain, improve core strength and postural support, increase flexibility, and help patients maintain function and quality of life. It is a cornerstone of conservative scoliosis management.

What is degenerative scoliosis, and how is it different from idiopathic scoliosis?

Degenerative scoliosis develops in adulthood from asymmetric wear and tear on the spinal discs and joints. Idiopathic scoliosis typically develops during adolescence without a clearly identified cause. Both can be symptomatic in adults, but degenerative scoliosis is more closely associated with spinal stenosis and tends to affect the lumbar spine specifically.

Is scoliosis surgery safe for older adults?

Age alone is not a disqualifier for scoliosis surgery. What matters most is overall health, bone density, cardiovascular fitness, and whether the expected benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for that individual. Our team evaluates each surgical candidate carefully and is transparent about realistic expectations for older patients considering spine surgery.

How do I know if my back pain is from scoliosis?

Back pain from scoliosis is often described as chronic, aching, and worsening with prolonged standing or walking. It may be accompanied by leg symptoms from associated stenosis. A standing spinal X-ray is the essential first step in determining whether scoliosis is contributing to your symptoms. Our Queens team will review your imaging and correlate it carefully with your clinical picture.