Complete guide to scoliosis surgery — costs, recovery timeline, success rates, and how to find the right surgeon.
Scoliosis surgery corrects abnormal sideways curvature of the spine using metal rods, screws, and bone graft. The most common procedure is posterior spinal fusion, where the curved vertebrae are straightened with rods and fused together. Surgery is recommended when curves exceed 45-50 degrees in adolescents or when adult scoliosis causes significant pain, progression, or functional limitation.
Adolescent: Most common. Posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation. Goal is to stop progression and correct deformity. Surgery is well-tolerated with rapid recovery. Hospital stay 3-5 days.
Adult: More complex. May require decompression (laminectomy) + fusion. Goals include pain relief, balance correction, and halting progression. Higher complication rates but transformative outcomes when properly selected.
Scoliosis surgery costs $50,000 to $150,000+ before insurance depending on the number of levels fused and complexity. This is one of the most expensive spine surgeries. Most insurance covers it when documented progression or significant curve magnitude is present.
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