Spinal deformities Treatment in Singapore
- Top Accredited Hospitals
- Global Medical Standards
- Cutting-Edge Technology
- Proven Treatment Options
- High Success Rate
- Trusted by Millions
What Are Spinal Deformities?
Spinal deformities are abnormal curvatures or misalignments of the spine that can affect a person's posture, function, and overall health. They can be acquired due to trauma or illness, developmental or congenital; that is, they exist from birth.
Types of Spinal Deformities
The common types of spinal deformity include the following:
Scoliosis: The curvature of the spine leads to its bending sideways with an "S" or "C" shape. This condition may be diagnosed at any age, but adolescence is the peak. In some cases, the cause is not known, but the reasons may also include conditions like muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.
Kyphosis is an extreme outward curving of the upper spine that results in a rounded or hunched back. It can be caused by osteoporosis, degenerative illnesses, or ageing itself. Kyphosis can occasionally be trauma-induced or congenital.
Lordosis: The severe inward curvature of the lower back (lumbar spine), known as lordosis, is frequently called a "swayback." Obesity, bad posture, and specific illnesses like muscular dystrophy or spondylolisthesis can all contribute to it.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that causes spinal misalignment when one vertebra slides out of position over the one beneath it. It can cause pain and nerve compression and frequently affects the lower back.
What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?
Addressing spinal abnormalities as soon as possible reduces pain, prevents the condition from worsening, and prevents complications like respiratory problems or nerve compression. Physical therapy, bracing, or monitoring are examples of early interventions that can help preserve function and mobility while avoiding the need for more invasive procedures like surgery.
It also improves long-term results, lowers the risk of secondary health problems, and enhances the general quality of life, particularly for children and teenagers whose spines are still growing, by maintaining proper posture, mobility, and self-esteem. Early detection and management are essential to achieve the best results.
What are the Common Symptoms of Spinal Deformities?
Some common symptoms of spinal Deformities are mentioned below:
- Changes in posture that are noticeable (leaning or hunching)
- Stiffness or discomfort in the back
- Difficulty breathing (particularly in severe cases with kyphosis)
- Decreased range of motion
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness if nerves are impacted
Causes and Risk Factors of Spinal Deformities
Causes
There are several causes of spine abnormalities, and these may include
- Congenital: Poor spine growth at birth, such as congenital scoliosis.
- Neuromuscular: Conditions that affect the muscle's ability to control, like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.
- Degenerative: Diseases that will slowly, over time, result in weakening the spine, including, but not limited to, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and others.
- Trauma: The spine's alignment due to fractures and injuries caused by accidents.
- Spinal infections or tumours can result in deformity or misalignment among infections or tumours.
- Some postural problems include muscle imbalances, obesity, and poor posture, often manifested in children and adolescents.
Risk Factors
The following are risk factors for spinal deformities:
- Age, gender, and genetics
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Being overweight
- Bad posture
- Injury
Connect with our advisor for a PRIORITY response
Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Spinal Deformities in Singapore
Singapore is at the forefront of treating spinal deformities by combining cutting-edge technologies with innovative surgical methods to enhance patient outcomes. Robotic-assisted spine surgery has revolutionised the field, offering enhanced precision for procedures such as scoliosis correction and spinal fusion. These advanced systems use 3D imaging to assist surgeons in real-time, which helps to lower radiation exposure and reduce complications. Moreover, the advent of vertebral body tethering provides a motion-preserving, minimally invasive solution for adolescents with scoliosis, allowing for continued spinal growth and faster recovery times.
Spinal Deformities Prevention Tips
Preventing spine disorders requires a healthy lifestyle, attention to posture, and physical activity. The advice that follows can help reduce the risk:
- Maintain Posture: Good posture is essential for preventing excessive strain on the spine when standing, sitting, and walking.
- Regular Exercise: Try yoga, swimming, or strength training to improve flexibility and develop core muscles. A healthy core prevents misalignment and supports the spine.
- Lift Properly: When lifting anything, bend your knees and maintain a straight back to prevent damage or strain on your spine.
- Remain Active: Frequent exercise lowers the risk of degenerative diseases like osteoporosis by preserving muscle strength and bone density.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight and a balanced diet is essential because being overweight can strain the spine and increase the chance of abnormalities.
- Wear Supportive Footwear: Good footwear that provides adequate arch support can help you stay aligned and lessen back strain.
- Avoid sitting for long periods: If you are sedentary, take time off often and stretch to avoid muscle stiffness and strain on your spine.
Treatment options for Spinal deformities
Spinal Fusion: The most common surgical procedure for severe spinal deformities is spinal fusion, where two or more vertebrae are permanently joined together. This operation is usually recommended when other nonsurgical measures, such as bracing or physical therapy, have failed and the deformity causes severe discomfort, nerve compression, or functional issues.
Cost Start From USD 50000 - USD 100000Explore Options
Clinical assessment
- Physical Examination:
- CheckforPostureandAlignment: Your doctors will examine the patient's posture and spine alignment for known anomalies, such as a hunched back or irregular curvature.
- Movement and Flexibility Tests: To evaluate pain, stiffness, or mobility, the physician may ask the patient to bend or move in different directions.
- Neurological Exam: This involves assessing sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes for nerve injury or compression signs.
- Imaging Tests:
- X-rays are the most widely used diagnostic tools for assessing bone alignment and curvature, and they aid in diagnosing conditions such as kyphosis and scoliosis.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides detailed images of soft tissues, including ligaments, discs, and nerves. It aids in detecting soft tissue problems, such as herniated discs and nerve compression.
- CTscans provide fine cross-sectional images of the spine's bone structure, which is particularly helpful in more complex cases or when MRIs and X-rays are inconclusive.
- Scoliometer: A simple device used to measure the amount of curvature in the spine, commonly in cases of scoliosis, to determine the need for further imaging.
- Bone Scintigraphy (Bone Scan) involves using small amounts of radioactive material to detect spine malignancies, fractures, or infections.
- The DEXA scan, also known as a bone density test, measures bone strength to detect osteoporosis, which can result in abnormalities such as kyphosis.
Our MediRehab facilities, part of MediGence, offer physical therapy services for international patients. We also have convenient teleconsultation options so that patients all over the globe can receive expert treatment remotely. A few services such as:
- Individualised therapy plans include exercises to increase mobility, control discomfort, and build stronger muscles surrounding the spine.
- Post-operative rehabilitation: After surgery, physical treatment restores function, strength, and flexibility.
- Depending on your spinal condition, your doctor may prescribe some medications to help control your symptoms and support the treatment plan.
Instantly Connect with our Specialists
Hospitals for Spinal deformities in Singapore
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
Novena, Singapore
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital located in Novena, Singapore is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Capacity of 333 beds
- Intensive Care Unit beds
- Endoscopy beds
- Day ward with 20 beds
- 13 Operating Theatres, which includes 1 Neurological operating room, 2 Cardiac operating rooms, 4 Orthopaedic operating rooms, etc.
- High Dependency Unit (HDU)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- 24/7 Accident & Emergency Department
- Maternity ward
- 1 major operating unit with 13 operating rooms inclusive of 1 hybrid theatre
- In-house Pharmacy
- Rooms are categorized as Single Signature Rooms, Junior Suite and Regal Suite
- All patient rooms are equipped with electric safe, LCD, sofa cum bed, wardrobe, radio channels, and much more
Parkway East Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Parkway East Hospital located in Joo Chiat Pl, Singapore is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- Total capacity for 143 beds
- Hospital rooms are available- Single room, 2-bedded room (8), 4-bedded room (2), Deluxe room, and Orchid/Hibiscus Suite
- All rooms are equipped with all ensuite facilities like Free wifi, mini fridge, sofa couch, telephone, in-room safe, TV, etc.
- Maternity wards- Accredited as a baby-friendly hospital under the World Health Organisations Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
- 1 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with 14 cots
- Intensive Care Unit
- 1 Operation Theatre with 5 Operating rooms
- 1 Nursery with 30 cots
- 1 Parentcraft room
- 24-hour walk-in-clinic (for emergency)
- 24-hour Pharmacy
Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Mount Elizabeth Hospital located in Singapore, Singapore is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- 345 bedded Hospital
- Maternity wards
- The Mount Elizabeth Patient Assistance Centre (MPAC)
- 1 major operating unit with 12 operating rooms and 1 operating theatre dedicated to in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- Intensive Care Unit
- High Dependency Unit (HDU)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Accident & Emergency Department
- Rooms are categorized as Single rooms, 2-bedded rooms, 4-bedded rooms, Executive deluxe suite, Daffodil/Magnolia suite, VIP Room, and Royal Suite
- All patient rooms are equipped with electric safe, LCD, sofa cum bed, wardrobe, radio channels, and much more
- Parking lot
Our Services to better your experience
Opinion & Option
We submit the most accurate opinion and options from one or more countries for your review
Consult Privately
Consult with a certified specialist privately on our telemedicine platform even before you decide to travel
Logistics
We handle flights, visas, transfers, and accommodation—so you can focus on your health.
Recovery
Our In-house rehabilitation service packages to better your recovery and treatment outcome
Why Choose Singapore for Spinal Deformity Treatment?
For the treatment of spinal abnormalities, Singapore is growing in popularity for several significant reasons:
- Reasonably priced medical treatment
- Modern Healthcare Facilities
- Expert Surgeons
- Reduced Waiting Times
- Comprehensive Care
- Global Patient Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most back pain doesn't result from a spinal disorder. While some spinal disorders cause misalignment and pressure on nerves, other causes include injury, ruptured discs, poor posture, strained muscles, and many diseases, such as arthritis. Hence, it is essential to consult a physician if the backache is severe and persists.
The kind and severity of the spinal abnormality determine how the condition should be treated. Milder cases are treated through physiotherapy, bracing, and pain management to strengthen the muscles, improve posture, and decrease discomfort. However, worse cases may require surgery, spinal fusion, or other forms of treatment to stabilise the spine.
Routine monitoring is also essential to monitor the changes, especially in growing children. Exercise and good posture are other lifestyle changes that help manage symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
The recovery time after surgery depends on the patient's health and the nature of the surgery performed. Patients usually need weeks to months of recovery after spinal deformity surgery, which involves rest, physical therapy, and a gradual return to normal activities. Singapore hospitals offer extensive rehabilitation programs to help in healing.
No other alternatives exist to treat the spinal abnormalities, which may be severe with spinal fusion. Different therapies are considered individually because surgery is a standard and effective treatment for stabilising the spine and correcting severe curvature.
Such interventions include osteotomy of the spine (realignment surgery), disc replacement in certain situations, or corrective surgery (using rods, screws, or braces). Non-surgical treatments like bracing, pain management, or physical therapy may be used in certain conditions before choosing surgery.
Bracing is an essential nonsurgical therapy for spinal anomalies, especially scoliosis. It also prevents the development of scoliosis in children and teenagers. In addition to achieving better alignment and stabilising the spine, the brace lowers the risk of the curvature worsening.
Bracing may be a beneficial treatment approach, even when it fails to correct the deformity completely in cases of minimal severity, as it can successfully avoid surgery.
Yes, children and adolescents can suffer from spine deformities such as kyphosis (forward bending or hunchback), lordosis (exaggerated inward curve), and scoliosis (sideways curvature). In most cases, such deformities can have hereditary causes, growth anomalies, or other underlying diseases that might lead to severe deformities in posture, movement, or quality of life.
Untreated spinal abnormalities can result in chronic discomfort, decreased movement, and nerve damage. Scoliosis, for example, can deteriorate over time, impairing heart and lung function. Muscle strain and joint deterioration can also result from postural abnormalities. Early treatment is crucial to prevent these long-term issues and improve quality of life.
Yes, spinal deformities can lead to other health problems, including:
- Breathing problems
- Cardiovascular issues
- Persistent pain
- Compression of nerves
- Degeneration of the joints
- Problems with balance and mobility