Pediatric Spine

What is pediatric spine care?

Pediatric spine care at Advanced Spine Care includes a comprehensive spinal evaluation, diagnostic testing, and treatment (including minimally invasive spine surgery when needed) for children and teenagers struggling with back or neck pain or spinal irregularities. Dr. Verma is board-certified and highly trained in spine surgery using advanced technologies and methods.

What are examples of pediatric spine conditions?

Examples of pediatric spine concerns include:

• Disc herniation or bulging disc 
• Sciatica (pinched nerve)
• Adolescent scoliosis (abnormal sideways spinal curvature)
• Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped spinal vertebrae)
• Flatback syndrome (flattening of the spine)
• Kyphosis (excessive rounding of the upper spine)
• Traumatic injuries
• Stress fractures
• Sports injuries 

Dr. Verma is board-certified and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He takes a personalized, concierge medicine approach to non-surgical and minimally invasive spinal treatments to optimize your child’s recovery every step of the way. 

What can cause pediatric spine problems?

Pediatric spine conditions are often caused by genetics, injuries (sports injuries, car accident injuries, etc.), heavy lifting, diseases, and more. Scoliosis, a common spinal concern in children and teenagers, affects about three million new individuals each year in the United States. It’s often diagnosed in children aged 10-15 years old. 

How are pediatric spine concerns diagnosed?

Dr. Verma diagnoses pediatric spine issues by discussing your child’s medical history and symptoms, completing a physical exam, and ordering nerve testing and imaging procedures to determine the extent of any spinal abnormalities. 

Which pediatric spine treatments are available?

Advanced Spine Care often encourages conservative therapies first, such as bracing, ice or heat packs, injections, and physical therapy. Dr. Verma also offers the following surgeries for children and teenagers:

• Spinal fusion for scoliosis 
• Traditional growing rod placement
• Magnetically controlled growing rod placement
• Vertebral column resection 
• Pedicle subtraction osteotomy
• Complex spinal deformity surgery
• Spinal decompression
• Revision spine surgery

Surgery is often reserved for severe cases or patients who haven’t responded to conservative methods. Dr. Verma uses the latest advances in minimally invasive technologies and procedures, including computer-assisted surgery and real-time CT imaging.

He uses techniques that minimize trauma and post-procedural pain while promoting a fast recovery. Dr. Verma takes a concierge medicine approach to pediatric spine care, thoroughly explaining your child’s diagnosis and procedure, encouraging second opinions, and addressing questions or concerns you may have.

Schedule a pediatric spine evaluation with Dr. Verma at Advanced Spine Care by calling the office or requesting one online today.