Establishing a comprehensive care paradigm: Insights from a specialised combined scoliosis clinic in Australia

Orthopaedic spine surgery, particularly for adult spinal deformity, demands extensive expertise due to its complex pathologies. Surgical success hinges on precise planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and advanced techniques to correct deformities and restore spinal alignment. This study investigates the efficacy of a Combined Monthly Scoliosis Clinic initiated in April 2022 at Spine Service, St George Private Hospital. The clinic integrates adult and paediatric spine surgeons from Sydney, aiming to provide specialized care and educational opportunities. Patient assessments include physical evaluations and tailored imaging, with treatment strategies discussed collaboratively amongst surgeons, fellows, registrars and students. Over an 18-month period, the clinic assessed 41 patients (average age 50.4 years; 61.0 % female) with diverse spinal conditions. Treatment approaches varied, encompassing spinal fusion, decompression, and conservative management tailored to individual pathologies. The Combined Monthly Scoliosis Clinic exemplifies a comprehensive model for managing complex spinal deformities. It emphasizes collaborative diagnostics, personalized treatment planning, and continuous educational enhancement for trainees and fellows. Patient outcomes underscore the clinic's effectiveness in improving quality of life through tailored interventions. This integrated approach sets a benchmark for global spine care centres, ensuring optimal patient-centric care and advancing clinical standards through ongoing feedback and adaptation.