Scoliosis — a lateral curvature of the spine — affects adults either as a progression of adolescent-onset disease or as a new de novo deformity driven by disc and facet degeneration. When it causes significant pain, neurological symptoms, or progressive deformity, Dr. Chavarria offers surgical correction that restores alignment, stabilizes the spine, and dramatically improves quality of life.
What are the symptoms?
- Visible asymmetry of the shoulders, waist, or pelvis
- Chronic back pain that worsens over years
- Leg pain, cramping, or weakness from associated nerve compression (in degenerative scoliosis)
- Difficulty standing upright or leaning to one side when walking
- Reduced walking distance or endurance
- Shortness of breath in severe thoracic curves affecting lung capacity
What causes it?
- Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Develops during growth spurts and may persist or progress into adulthood
- Degenerative (de novo) scoliosis: Asymmetric disc collapse and facet arthritis cause the spine to curve as degeneration progresses — typically begins after age 50
- Neuromuscular scoliosis: Associated with conditions affecting muscle control (cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, polio)
- Iatrogenic scoliosis: Can develop following prior spine surgery that destabilizes the spinal column
How is it diagnosed?
Full-length standing X-rays (scoliosis series or EOS imaging) measure the Cobb angle of the curve, assess sagittal balance, and provide a baseline for tracking progression. MRI identifies associated nerve compression, disc disease, and canal stenosis. CT scans assist with surgical planning when osteotomies or complex instrumentation is anticipated.
Your Non-Surgical Roadmap — Surgery Is the Last Step
Most patients with this condition get better without surgery. Here's the path Dr. Chavarria follows before an operation is ever on the table:
- 1
Start conservative
Physical therapy, activity changes, anti-inflammatory or nerve medication, and time — the first line for nearly every spine condition.
- 2
Add targeted relief
If symptoms persist, image-guided injections (epidural or nerve blocks) can calm inflammation and pinpoint the source of pain — often avoiding surgery entirely.
- 3
Re-evaluate together
Dr. Chavarria reviews your progress and imaging with you, honestly, and explains exactly where you stand — no pressure, no rush to the OR.
- 4
Surgery — only if it's truly the best option
Reserved for severe or worsening nerve compression, instability, or when conservative care has had a fair chance. When it is right, you'll understand why and what to expect.
Treatment Options in Reno, NV — Conservative Care First
Mild to moderate adult scoliosis is initially managed with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and pain injections. Bracing is generally not effective in adults for curve correction but may provide symptomatic relief. When scoliosis causes progressive deformity, significant back or leg pain, neurological compromise, or severe difficulty standing, Dr. Chavarria designs a surgical correction plan that typically combines minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion (XLIF/LLIF) for disc reconstruction with posterior fusion and instrumentation for curve correction. The goal is to restore spinal balance, decompress nerves, and prevent further progression.
Treatment Procedures
Adult Deformity & Scoliosis Correction
Adult spinal deformity — including scoliosis, kyphosis, and flatback syndrome — can cause progressively worsening back pain, leg pain, and difficulty standing upright. Surgical correction realigns the spine, restores sagittal balance, and often dramatically improves the ability to walk, stand, and perform daily activities.
Learn More →Lateral Approaches (XLIF / LLIF)
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion — performed through the patient's side rather than the back or front — allows Dr. Chavarria to place a large interbody cage between the vertebrae through a very small incision, with minimal blood loss and no disruption to the back muscles. XLIF and LLIF are powerful tools for treating multi-level disc disease, flatback deformity, and degenerative scoliosis.
Learn More →Lumbar Spinal Fusion (TLIF/PLIF)
Lumbar spinal fusion permanently connects two or more vertebrae together, eliminating painful motion at an unstable or severely degenerated spinal segment. Techniques such as TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) and PLIF (Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) restore disc height, decompress the nerve, and stabilize the spine — and can be performed with minimally invasive techniques through small incisions.
Learn More →