SPINAL DEFORMITY
What we do?
We provide advanced care for spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and degenerative conditions, using safe techniques and personalized treatments to restore balance and improve quality of life.
Deformity Correction
Comprehensive treatments for scoliosis, kyphosis, and complex spinal curves, ensuring safe correction and improved mobility.
Specialized Therapies
Observation, bracing, physiotherapy, and guided growth techniques are used to manage spinal deformities at different stages of life.
Advanced Technology
Intra-operative neuromonitoring, O-ARM navigation, robotic-assisted systems, and minimally invasive techniques work together to ensure the highest level of safety and precision during complex spinal surgeries.
Expert Care
With decades of specialised experience, Dr. Balamurali treats the full spectrum of spinal deformities—from simple to highly complex—helping patients regain function, mobility, and confidence through a comprehensive, team-based care.
Deformity
Spinal deformity can happen at a very young age or in an elderly. We have the expertise to treat congenital scoliosis in children as young as 1-2 years to adolescent.
Dr Balamurali, leading spine surgeon in Chennai, India gives particular emphasis on restoration of normal global and regional spinal balance. State-of-the art spinal cord monitoring techniques are employed by neurophysiologists in the operating rooms to provide the highest levels of patient safety. Navigation is used in complex deformities.
Conditions Treated Include
- Adult degenerative scoliosis
- Kyphotic deformity
- Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis
- High grade spondylolisthesis
- Congenital deformities
- Post TB deformity
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
We also have good experience in managing elderly patients who develop degenerative scoliosis as a result of age and osteoporosis.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is abnormal sideward bending of the spine. There are various causes for scoliosis of which genetic cause is seen in almost 30 % of the patients. Contrary to the popular belief, abnormal loading like carrying heavy school bags or poor posture cannot cause scoliosis. Depending on the cause, scoliosis is classified into
- Congenital scoliosis
- Neuromuscular scoliosis
- Syndromic scoliosis
- Idiopathic scoliosis
- Degenerative scoliosis
Treatment depends on the cause of scoliosis, age of the child/patient, severity of curve and associated anomalies.
Symptoms
- Tilted or uneven shoulders (one above the other)
- Asymmetry of the rib cage
- Uneven waist line and hip level
- Hunched back and unequal limb size in severe cases
- Pain is rare in scoliosis
Scoliosis treatment options
- Observation with periodic evaluation
- Bracing
- Physiotherapy
- Minimal Intervention - Growth Rod
- Surgical deformity correction
When surgery is indicated?
If associated anomaly in brain or spine like cord tethering, diastomyelia or Arnold Chiari malformation is present, they should be treated first
For curves up to 30° periodic follow up with x-rays has to be done. Curves with angle of 30° to 40° needs bracing and close monitoring. Curves more than 40-45° in children with growth potential should be corrected with surgery (posterior instrumented deformity correction and fusion).
Congenital scoliosis:
Usually bracing or body cast application is done up to 6 years of age and then assisted growth technique (growth rod application and serial distraction) is done up to the age of menarche. Around menarche when the growth spurt happens, definitive surgery (deformity correction and fusion) is done.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis:
Need for surgery depends on
- Age
- Severity of curve
- Skeletal maturity(determined with x-ray) (i.e growth remaining)
What are the safety precautions taken during Scoliosis surgery?
Scoliosis surgery are very complex operations and must be performed only in centres that have adequate facilities and experiences surgeons. At Kauvery hospital we have both and we use several safety precautions to avoid any neurological deficit or complications.
Equipment used are
- Intergrated Neuro Spine Operations Theatre
- O Arm Guided Neuro Navigation (Robotic Guided) surgery
- Neuro Navigations (Robotic Guided) surgery
- High speed drill and Ultrasonic Curator
- 3D X ray machine
- Robotic Guided 3D, 4K High end microscope
- Intra operative Neuro Monitoring
What is Intra-operative monitoring ( IOM) ?
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has been utilized to minimize neurological morbidity from surgery. The goal of is to identify changes in brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve function prior to irreversible damage.
- Detect neurological injury during surgery on brain, spinal cord or nerves
- Use of neurophysiological parameters for detecting changes which will alert if any surgically induced insults occur
- To assess the function of spinal cord transmission function during an operation
Monitoring modalities?
- Evoked Responses : Sensory pathways : Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs)
- Corticospinal tracts : Motor evoked potentials (MEPs)
- Electromyography (EMG) : Free-run, Stimulated
- “D waves” for spinal cord tumor surgery
- Function mapping of cranial nerves especially facial nerve during nerve sheath tumour surgeries
Ensuring Safety in Every Step of Scoliosis Surgery
Scoliosis surgery requires precision and expertise. Using advanced technology, robotic navigation, and continuous neuro monitoring, we ensure maximum safety and minimal risks.
Restore Your Life Regain Your Hope
Choose the best spinal cord monitoring and restoring techniques to live life without deformities and pain. From young to elderly, we treat you all!
Case Studies of Scoliosis: Degenerative vs. Congenital
Degenerative Scoliosis
Presentation
67-Year-Old Female
Chronic low back pain radiating to the posterior thigh for a year, with urinary incontinence for six months. Patient fully dependent on caregiver for daily activities.
Diagnosis
Degenerative Scoliosis
Treatment
Minimally Invasive D11 to L5 instrumented deformity correction, decompression and fusion
Outcome
Independence regained with relief from leg symptoms; patient now performs daily activities independently while managing osteoporosis.
Minimally Invasive Deformity Correction & Fusion Pre Op
Minimally Invasive Deformity Correction & Fusion Post Op
Adult Degenerative scoliosis Pre OP X ray
Adult Degenerative scoliosis Post OP X ray
Adult Degenerative scoliosis Post OP X ray
Congenital Scoliosis
Presentation
12-Year-Old Child
Severe cosmetically and functionally disabling spinal deformity affecting quality of life and self-esteem.
Diagnosis
Congenital Scoliosis with Hemivertebra and Unsegmented Bar
Treatment
Advanced Vertebral Column Resection (VCR) with cage reconstruction for comprehensive deformity correction
Outcome
Complete return to normal life. Significant improvement in posture and self-confidence. Child now thriving with restored self-esteem.
Spinal defects
In Association With
