From Clovis to our office
Our only office is in Fresno, California. Clovis patients reach it in about 15 to 20 minutes on Highway 168, roughly 9 miles from the center of town. For deformity surgery that short trip matters. The process often includes several planning visits, a hospital stay of several days, and follow-up visits with x-rays for a year or more. Being close means family members can share the driving without taking whole days off work.
What the surgery is
In adults, the spine can slowly curve to the side (scoliosis), lose its normal inward curve in the low back (flatback), or tip forward (kyphosis). A vertebra may also slip forward on the one below. People often notice they lean forward more as the day goes on, need to rest on a shopping cart, or get leg pain when they walk.
Correction surgery frees pinched nerves and brings the spine back over the pelvis in better balance. It usually means a fusion across several levels with screws and rods, and sometimes shaping the bone to correct a stiff curve. Navigation or robotic guidance may be used to help place screws. See our full page on deformity surgery for the full explanation and the risks, which are higher than with smaller spine operations.
Who it may help
Most adults with a curve do well without surgery. Surgery comes up when a spinal deformity limits standing, walking or daily tasks and therapy and other care have not helped enough. Some patients also have worn and collapsed discs or nerve narrowing that adds leg pain.
Clovis is known for its outdoor life, from the annual Clovis Rodeo each April to trips up Highway 168 into the Sierra. At your visit, tell us what you want to get back to, such as walking in Old Town, working in the yard or a day at the lake with grandchildren. Those goals help shape the plan, and we will be honest about which ones are realistic after a large fusion.
The planning phase
- First visitExam, history and a first look at any x-rays or MRI you have.
- Full-spine imagingStanding x-rays from neck to pelvis, plus MRI or CT, to measure the curve and your balance.
- Health work-upBone density, nutrition, blood sugar, heart and lung checks. Low bone density is often treated before surgery.
- Plan reviewA visit to go over the operation, hospital stay and recovery, with family if you wish.
Dr. Higginbotham trained in spine surgery at UC Davis and is first author of a national study on how spine surgeons check nutrition, function and bone health before surgery. That preparation is a large part of deformity care.
Risks to weigh
Deformity correction is one of the larger operations in spine surgery, and the risks are real. They include infection, blood loss that may need a transfusion, nerve injury, blood clots, the bones not fusing, broken or loose rods and screws, and new problems at the level just above or below the fusion. Some patients need another operation later. Health problems like diabetes, heart disease, smoking and thin bones raise these risks, which is why so much time goes into planning. We would rather take extra weeks to get you ready than rush a surgery this size.
Preparing at home in Clovis
- Old imaging. X-rays from years past help show whether a curve is changing. If they were taken at Clovis Community Medical Center or another local center, ask for copies of the images.
- Help at home. Plan for someone to stay with you for the first weeks. Meals, laundry and driving are hard early on.
- Equipment. A walker, shower chair, raised toilet seat and a reacher are common needs.
- Therapy close by. Physical therapy is often part of recovery. A clinic in Clovis makes it easier to keep going week after week.
If you have been told you need this operation elsewhere, see getting a second opinion before spine surgery.
Clovis deformity surgery FAQ
How long will I be in the hospital?
That depends on how many levels are fused and your health. Several days is common. Some patients spend time in an inpatient rehab unit before going home.
I had scoliosis as a teenager. Why is it causing trouble now?
A curve that was mild for years can change as discs wear with age. Some adults develop new pain, nerve symptoms or a forward lean. Comparing old and new x-rays helps show what has changed.
Will I be able to bend after a long fusion?
You will lose some bending at the fused levels. Many people learn to bend at the hips and knees and use tools like reachers. We will talk about how the length of the fusion affects daily tasks.
Can my follow-up visits be spaced out?
Visits are most frequent in the first months, then spread out as the fusion heals. Being in Clovis makes the early visits easier to keep.