La Jolla Neurosurgeon Introduces Cutting-Edge Surgery for Scoliosis Patients

LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of all adults over the age of 70 have adult degenerative scoliosis, and patients seeking treatment  are looking for more effective and lower risk treatment options for their chronic pain. William Taylor, M.D., a renowned UCSD neurosurgeon based in La Jolla, Calif., who focuses on the evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders, is now using a cutting-edge surgical approach for scoliosis treatment that produces better outcomes, decreases recovery time and reduces risk of complications.

Most surgeons surgically treat scoliosis with a standard approach called an "open" procedure. This requires a large posterior incision and long hospital stay, which creates greater risk for complications and may result in a slower recovery.

"There are a number of changes taking place within the standard and common treatment of scoliosis," says Dr. Taylor. "The majority of doctors choose to treat the pain instead of the problem, which may be a temporary fix. Those who decide to treat the problem often use invasive methods that require major surgery, with over a year of recovery time. In elderly patients, this method can be very complicated and risky."

Dr. Taylor uses a minimally invasive method to perform the scoliosis surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is a safer alternative to standard surgery as it uses innovative techniques and specialized instruments to reach the problem area.

Dr. Taylor has performed more than 1,000 minimally invasive spine procedures over the past two decades, and he is pleased to now offer the advanced technique for his scoliosis patients, including the elderly population. The procedure to correct curvature of the spine involves a few small incisions in the back, which is less disruptive to a patient's natural anatomy, with reduced trauma to the muscle, tissue, nerves and blood vessels.

"By using a minimally invasive approach to scoliosis treatment, patients may anticipate many benefits," explains Dr. Taylor. "They include decreased pain, just a few weeks of recovery time, much lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, increased mobility and, most important, a quicker return to what was once their normal way of life. It is a treatment that is safe for the elderly population, and a surgery option that offers less risk and higher reward for any patient."

To learn more about Dr. William Taylor and minimally invasive scoliosis surgery, visit http://neurosurgery.ucsd.edu/william-taylor-md/

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SOURCE Dr. William Taylor