Care at Every Age

Care at Every Age

Spinal disorders, such as scoliosis, affect people of all ages. At the Hey Clinic, Dr. Hey and his team of compassionate healthcare professionals strive to ensure that each patient’s experience is above and beyond their expectation of quality care.

As an independent practice, Hey Clinic is able to offer generous appointment times, giving our providers the opportunity to educate patients and create personalized treatment plans. We ensure that every patient (and family/support-system members) fully understands his or her condition and individualized treatment plan.

From infants to seniors, each spinal patient is equally cared for, informed and supported.

We look forward to serving you.

New Patients

Children (0-12)

Teenagers (13-19)

Young Adults (20-40)

Though scoliosis is at highest risk of progression during the adolescent years, the curve can continue to progress at any time in adulthood. Having accurate follow-up measurements throughout your life is critical for helping you guide future treatment decisions and maximize your quality of life in the long run. Our EOS X-Ray machine allows us to get excellent quality images, while also dramatically decreasing radiation exposure down to 4% of regular digital x-rays, which decreases cancer risk. For those who have finished growing, we recommend follow-ups once a year through age 25 and after each pregnancy. After age 25, follow-up is usually every 1-3 years depending on risk of progression, or earlier if the deformity becomes symptomatic.

Adults (41-60)

While scoliosis is generally diagnosed in childhood, existing curves can progress as an adult, or new curves can develop. For females, this is especially true after menopause. Hormonal changes, decreased bone quality and/or loss of disc space can lead to changes in the curvature of the spine. Therefore, it is important to continue monitoring scoliosis and kyphosis throughout the lifespan.

As we age, there are many degenerative changes that occur in the spine. The facet joints become arthritic and intervertebral discs begin to wear out, causing the bones to rub against each other which can be very painful. For people with scoliosis, the curve can start to “buckle” over time due to uneven loads put on the discs as a result of the curve. In response to degeneration, the spine will grow bone spurs in an effort to strengthen the spine and prevent movement. The human body is amazing in that it has these methods of healing itself, however this process can be slow and sometimes frustrating. There are many conservative therapies to help manage back pain while the body finishes this process.

Seniors (61+)

As we get older, it is frustrating to feel that our bodies are slowing us down. Our bodies begin to “settle” and may start to degenerate and lose bone quality. Oftentimes, the spine becomes the focus of our weariness and discomfort. Have you ever gotten back pain relief by leaning over the shopping cart? If so, the shopping cart is acting as a support, taking some of the load off of your spine. Leaning forward also relieves pressure on the nerves in the spine, thereby reducing symptoms of stenosis. Frequently, strengthening the core abdominal muscles or adding a supportive low back brace can provide ongoing relief.

Scoliosis and kyphosis can continue to progress in older adults as a result of degeneration and decreased bone quality. It is particularly important for older women to get a enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet (or through supplements) and to get regular DEXA scans to monitor for osteopenia and osteoporosis. While it is not common for men over the age of 40 to lose bone density as rapidly as women, there may be a slight risk for some men.

Testimonials

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