Out-of-state? Free MRI review + telehealth consult before you travel4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviewsBoard-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryMinimally invasive, same-day spine surgery in Beverly HillsCall (424) 217-7463
Out-of-state? Free MRI review + telehealth consult before you travel4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviewsBoard-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryMinimally invasive, same-day spine surgery in Beverly HillsCall (424) 217-7463
Scoliosis and kyphosis correction planned around your spine, not a template: custom-made rods, surgery planned in two stages, and a recovery built without narcotics.
Surgery to Restore Spinal Balance and Relieve Pain
Scoliosis and deformity surgery realigns a spine that has curved sideways (scoliosis), rounded forward (kyphosis), or lost its overall balance. The aim is not a perfect-looking X-ray. It is a spine that stops progressing, takes pressure off crowded nerves, and lets you stand upright without the pain and fatigue the deformity has caused.
Dr. Melamed has done this work for a long time. From 2013 to 2021 he was Director of Scoliosis at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, where his work included complex adult deformity. He is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society.
Three things set his approach apart. The rods are custom-made: he shapes them to your spine's own curves and the correction you need, rather than forcing the spine to fit a standard rod. Larger corrections are planned in two stages, so each operation is shorter and your body gets time to recover between them. And recovery follows his non-narcotic protocol, the same one used across his practice.
Scoliosis isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it can significantly impact your daily life, posture, mobility, confidence, and overall well-being. At The Spine Pro in Beverly Hills, CA, orthopedic spine and scoliosis surgeon Dr. Hooman Melamed provides advanced, compassionate scoliosis treatment and surgery options designed to restore spinal balance, relieve pain, and improve quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, our team is here to help you explore personalized solutions.
Board-certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Melamed brings over 20 years of experience, including recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Super Doctor. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS) and a featured expert on The Doctors and Dr. Oz, he emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care. Meet Dr. Melamed.
Scoliosis is a spinal deformity causing the spine to curve sideways in an “S” or “C” shape instead of remaining straight. It can be congenital (present at birth), idiopathic (developing in childhood or adolescence without a known cause), or degenerative (arising in adulthood due to age-related spinal changes).
Early signs may be subtle, such as uneven shoulders, misaligned hips, or ill-fitting clothes. As the curve worsens, it can cause chronic back pain, muscle fatigue, nerve damage, breathing difficulties, or mobility issues.
Scoliosis severity varies: Mild cases (under 20-25 degrees) often require monitoring, while moderate to severe curves (over 40-50 degrees) may need bracing or surgery to halt progression.
Scoliosis affects 2-3% of the U.S. population, or an estimated 6-9 million people. According to recent data, approximately 39% of U.S. adults experience back pain in a given three-month period, and up to 84% will face it at some point in their lives, making early spinal issue detection crucial—recurrence is four times more likely after the first incident.
Diagnosing Scoliosis in Beverly Hills, CA
Surgery is considered when a curve is causing real trouble: ongoing pain, documented progression, a spine that pitches you forward or to one side, or nerve compression. Bracing, therapy, and injections should have been tried and failed to hold it in check. Smaller, stable curves are usually watched, not operated on.
Dr. Melamed looks at standing X-rays of the whole spine, the size and flexibility of the curve, how it has changed over time, your symptoms, and your general health, including bone quality. Adults with degenerative scoliosis, flatback, or kyphosis often need a different plan than a teenager with a curve that appeared during growth, and he will explain which approach fits your case.
At The Spine Pro, scoliosis diagnosis is precise and personalized, led by Dr. Melamed and our multidisciplinary team of fellowship-trained surgeons, physical medicine specialists, and spine therapists. We use advanced imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT) and physical exams to evaluate curve degree, progression risk, and impact on your life.
Whether it’s a new diagnosis or longstanding progression, we explain everything clearly. Our one-stop Beverly Hills facility handles imaging, consultations, and treatment seamlessly. For related conditions, visit our spinal deformity page.
Preparing for Scoliosis Surgery in Beverly Hills
Preparing for scoliosis surgery can feel overwhelming, but Dr. Melamed’s team at The Spine Pro provides compassionate guidance every step. We start with a comprehensive evaluation of your spine, health, and goals, reviewing imaging and discussing options like spinal fusion.
To optimize outcomes, we recommend quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and building fitness. Preoperative steps include lab work, medical clearance, medication reviews, and anesthesia discussions. We’ll also cover surgery-day logistics, home prep, and post-op support.
Scoliosis Surgery Options at The Spine Pro
Planning comes first. Standing full-length X-rays and, when needed, CT and MRI show the curve in three dimensions and where it is pressing on nerves. From those, Dr. Melamed sets the correction goals and the rod shape for your spine.
For larger corrections, the work is split into two stages. The first stage typically loosens and prepares the spine, often through smaller incisions from the side or front, and the second stage completes the correction and places the custom-made rods and screws that hold it. Splitting the work keeps each operation shorter and lets you recover in between. Smaller corrections may need only one stage.
Where the anatomy allows, he uses muscle-sparing exposure and minimally invasive tools. Large or rigid deformities still need more extensive surgery, and he will be direct with you about which category your curve falls into.
Dr. Melamed specializes in state-of-the-art scoliosis surgery, focusing on minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and less pain.
Spinal Fusion: Using rods, screws, and bone grafts to straighten and stabilize the spine. Bones fuse over time for permanent correction. Learn more about outpatient fusion.
Minimally Invasive Approaches: For select cases, including endoscopic or robotic-assisted fusion to minimize tissue damage.
Growth-Friendly Options for Children: Vertebral body tethering (VBT) or growing rods for pediatric idiopathic scoliosis.
Procedures typically last 4-8 hours, depending on complexity.
When Is Surgery Needed For Spinal Deformities? · Dr. Hooman Melamed on YouTube
Life After Scoliosis Surgery
Recovery reflects the size of the correction. Patients are usually up and walking soon after each stage, with a hospital stay that depends on the extent of the surgery. Pain is managed through Dr. Melamed's non-narcotic recovery protocol, built around muscle preservation, early movement, and non-opioid pain control. The fusion takes months to mature, so activity is rebuilt in steps with a rehabilitation plan, and he maps out a realistic timeline for your curve before surgery.
At home, focus on rest with gradual activity: Short walks in week one, building strength over time. Physical therapy starts soon to enhance stability and mobility. Full bone fusion takes 6-12 months, but many return to work/school in 4-6 weeks.
While some curves may remain for safety, most patients see straighter spines and better function. Risks like infection or nerve issues are minimized with our protocols.
Why Choose Dr. Hooman Melamed for Scoliosis Surgery in Beverly Hills?
✓Custom-made rods shaped to your spine and correction goals
✓Larger corrections planned in two stages
✓Non-narcotic recovery protocol
✓Former Director of Scoliosis, Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital (2013-2021)
✓Experience with complex adult deformity
✓Muscle-sparing technique where the anatomy allows
Curves and Deformities Treated
Adult and degenerative scoliosis
Adolescent scoliosis that is progressing
Kyphosis and round-back deformity
Flatback and sagittal imbalance (forward-leaning posture)
Nerve compression caused by a spinal deformity
Painful curves that conservative care has not controlled
The rods that hold a correction are shaped for your spine rather than taken as standard shapes. Dr. Melamed plans the contour from your imaging and the correction he is aiming for, so the rods match your anatomy.
Why plan scoliosis surgery in two stages?
For larger corrections, splitting the surgery into two shorter operations lets your body recover in between. The first stage usually prepares and loosens the spine, and the second completes the correction and places the rods. Not every case needs two stages.
Will I need narcotics after scoliosis surgery?
Dr. Melamed's recovery protocol is built around non-narcotic pain control, muscle preservation, and early movement. He goes over the plan with you before surgery.
Do you treat kyphosis as well as scoliosis?
Yes. Kyphosis, flatback, and other forms of sagittal imbalance are part of deformity surgery. Most kyphosis is managed without surgery, and correction is considered for severe, progressing, or painful cases that conservative care has not helped.
Does every curve need surgery?
No. Many curves are stable and are simply monitored, or managed with bracing and therapy. Surgery is for curves that are painful, progressing, or compressing nerves despite conservative care.
What type of spine surgery is used for scoliosis?
Spinal fusion is most common, using rods, screws, and grafts to straighten and stabilize the spine.
How long does scoliosis surgery take?
Typically 4-8 hours, based on curve severity.
What are the risks of scoliosis surgery?
Includes infection, blood clots, nerve injury, or lung issues; our team minimizes these with careful monitoring.
Will my spine be perfectly straight after surgery?
Not always—the goal is safe correction while protecting nerves and the spinal cord.
How long is the recovery from scoliosis surgery?
Initial healing in months, full fusion in 6-12 months; therapy aids long-term success.
Can adults have scoliosis surgery?
Yes, especially for degenerative scoliosis.
Second opinions welcome
Not sure if surgery is the answer? Neither are we — until we've seen your MRI.
Send your imaging for a personal review with Dr. Melamed. Many patients learn a smaller, muscle-sparing option is on the table.
