What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that shows up as an “S” or “C” shape rather than a straight line down the back. This back condition can occur in children, adolescents and adults. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 2% of the population has scoliosis.

Scoliosis symptoms vary with age and severity of the curvature. Many people have some degree of curvature of the spine, yet experience little or no discomfort. Those with more severe scoliosis may experience back pain, disfigurement and nerve compression that can cause numbness, weakness and leg pain, especially upon standing or walking.

Watch a brief video to learn more about what scoliosis is
Watch a brief video on how scoliosis affects kids and adolescents

Scoliosis symptoms

Scoliosis can be a hidden disorder with no obvious symptoms, or it can cause severe disfigurement, pain and disability. Some patients can live with undetected scoliosis for many years until their curve starts to increase, often resulting in pain. Some common scoliosis symptoms include:

  • Idiopathic scoliosis – This literally means “of undetermined cause.” This type of scoliosis is thought to be genetic, involving involves multiple genes and a concept called variable penetrance meaning. This means that in each generation, there is variability in how severe the spine curve is.
  • Infantile idiopathic scoliosis – Scoliosis that occurs from birth to 3 years of age.
  • Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis – Scoliosis that occurs from 3 to 10 years of age.
  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – Scoliosis that occurs from 10 to 18 years of age. This is the most common scoliosis diagnosis in children, representing nearly 90% of scoliosis cases.
  • Adult idiopathic scoliosis – Scoliosis that occurs at 18 years and older.

Scoliosis causes and risk factors

Many physicians don't know what causes the most common type of scoliosis, although hereditary factors and environmental factors, like injuries such as spinal cord injuries, may come into play.

Family history

Scoliosis is thought to be genetic and tends to run in families. However, with each generation, there is a variability of how strongly the genes that cause scoliosis are expressed, which determines how severe the spine curve may be. For example, a mother may have a mild curve, but her daughter may have a very severe curve, or a mother may have a severe curve, and her grandchildren may develop scoliosis, but their parents did not.

Diagnosing scoliosis

A scoliosis diagnosis usually happens during a physical examination when a physician looks for the degree of rotation in the curvature of the spine, as well as secondary changes in other parts of the body that may include:

  • Uneven shoulders
  • Rib hump or asymmetry
  • Low back hump or asymmetry
  • A change in the shape of the waist
  • Uneven pelvic bones or hips

Frequently, these changes are not visible in a person while they are standing, but they become noticeable when the person bends forward.

X-rays are important for pinpointing the shape and location of the curvature, as well as for measuring the degree of the curvature, so it can be classified.

Scoliosis treatment decisions are based upon a combination of factors: The degree of curvature, curvature location, risk of progression, spinal imbalance, underlying disease progression and degree of pain the patient is experiencing.

Scoliosis treatment options

While many patients with scoliosis mistakenly believe there is no treatment option available to them or that as an adult their scoliosis cannot be treated, back doctors at Baylor Scott & White Scoliosis Centers across Texas offer new hope. Great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis have been made in recent years, offering each scoliosis patient advanced treatment. To date, we have treated more than 3,000 scoliosis patients with a success rate few others can claim.

Non-surgical treatment options

In most cases, treatment for adult scoliosis begins with a combination of non-operative therapies that may be administered for weeks to months. These scoliosis treatments include:

  • Observation—Many individuals we see do not require surgery to correct their spine curve. Pediatric patients, in particular, need to be observed closely before and during their adolescent growth spurt to identify curves that are progressing rapidly and those that remain stable over time.
  • Spinal rehabilitation—Physical therapy is often needed to stabilize the spine for patients with scoliosis. Pilates can also be helpful for core strengthening. While physical therapy has not been shown to alter the rate of curvature progression in adults, strengthening and conditioning programs often help reduce back pain symptoms. If surgery should ultimately be required, these physically fit patients often have an easier time recovering.
  • Pain management—Anti-inflammatory medications and mild narcotics can be administered via injections to help relieve back pain.
  • Epidural steroid injections—These types of injections can be helpful in relieving the leg pain that occurs as a result of scoliosis.

Scoliosis treatment locations

Baylor Scott & White Health Scoliosis Treatment Centers gives new hope to people suffering from the pain and disfigurement of scoliosis—even those who previously thought their back condition was untreatable.

Frequently asked questions about scoliosis care

Scoliosis is one of the more common disorders of the spine. Most people experience few symptoms or problems, but for those with a progressive curvature, problems can be severe.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you may have questions. We have provided answers to the most common questions below.

General scoliosis FAQ

Surgery FAQ

Expert advice from our blog

Scrubbing In® is a place where hands-on healthcare discussions are happening every day with the people whose own hands are on the front lines of patient care—the doctors, nurses and medical staff who are saving lives and advancing medicine.

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