Kyphosis Correction Procedure
Kyphosis correction surgery is a complex procedure designed to treat severe, rigid, or progressive forward curvature of the spine, commonly known as a 'hunchback' or 'roundback'. This surgery is typically reserved for patients whose deformity causes significant pain, neurological compression, impaired lung function, or a major decline in quality of life. The primary goal is to restore a more natural, balanced spinal alignment by straightening the curve. This is most often achieved through a posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation, which frequently involves advanced techniques like spinal osteotomies (cutting the bone) to 'unlock' the rigid spine and allow for a powerful correction.
Kyphosis correction surgery begins with an incision to expose the spine. For rigid curves, the key step is a Spinal Osteotomy, where a wedge of bone is precisely removed from a vertebra to create a hinge for realignment. Following this, Instrumentation and Correction involves placing pedicle screws and attaching rods; as the hardware is secured, the osteotomy wedge is closed, pulling the spine into an upright posture. A Spinal Fusion is then performed with bone graft to make the correction permanent, while intraoperative neuromonitoring continuously tracks the spinal cord to ensure patient safety.
After surgery, patients spend several days in the hospital for pain management and begin walking with physical therapy within a day or two. The full recovery is gradual, as the bony fusion takes many months to solidify, requiring restrictions on bending, lifting, and twisting during this healing period. The long-term results are transformative, offering a dramatic and lasting improvement in posture and pain, allowing most patients to return to a normal, active life once fully healed.
Kyphosis correction is one of the more complex and powerful procedures in spine surgery, capable of producing life-changing results. The success of the operation relies on a combination of meticulous surgical technique and the use of advanced technologies. By leveraging osteotomies, computer-assisted navigation, and real-time spinal cord monitoring, surgeons can safely and effectively restore spinal balance, offering patients with severe kyphosis relief from pain and a return to a more upright and confident life.