Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of your spine. Your spine (backbone) naturally has a slight forward and backward curve. With scoliosis, your spine curves to the left and right into a C or S shape.

Most cases of scoliosis are mild, don’t cause symptoms and don’t need treatment. Severe cases can cause uneven posture and pain. Treatment may include wearing a brace or surgery.

What are the types of scoliosis?

There are three types of scoliosis:

• Idiopathic scoliosis: This is the most common type. “Idiopathic” means the cause is unknown. Research does indicate that it runs in families and has a genetic (hereditary) link.
• Congenital scoliosis: This is a rare spine abnormality that a healthcare provider may detect at birth. It occurs when vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine) don’t form as they should during embryonic development.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: Abnormalities in the muscles and nerves that support your spine cause this type. It usually happens alongside neurological (nerve) or muscular conditions like an injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida or muscular dystrophy.

You may hear your provider refer to scoliosis diagnosed during adulthood as adult-onset scoliosis or degenerative scoliosis. You may have had mild, undiagnosed scoliosis throughout your life. Symptoms can increase or appear as your body ages, which results in a late diagnosis. Specifically, adult-onset scoliosis happens when your disks and joints weaken or you lose bone density (osteoporosis).

Healthcare providers use different names to refer to idiopathic scoliosis according to when it’s diagnosed:

• Infantile scoliosis: Younger than age 3.
• Juvenile scoliosis: Age 4 through 10.
• Adolescent scoliosis: Age 11 through 18.
• Adult idiopathic scoliosis: Diagnosed any time after age 18 when skeletal growth is complete.

How common is scoliosis?

Scoliosis affects an estimated 2% of people around the world. In the United States, this equals over 6 million people.