• Hope for an S-Shaped Back
• Scoliosis Can Hit Well Past Adolescence
• Personal Health: Heavy Backpacks Can Spell Chronic Back Pain for Children
• Scoliosis Test Lets Children Avoid a Brace
• In a Competitive Middle School, Triage for Aches and Anxieties
• Letters on Students' Weight Ruffle Parents
• Tips for Staying a Step Ahead of Scoliosis
• Stepping Down After 40 Years
• Q & A
• That Backpack Could Do Some Damage

Back to TopCauses »

Most of the time, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It is the most common type. It is grouped by age.

• In children age 3 and younger, it is called infantile scoliosis.
• In children age 4 through 10, it is called juvenile scoliosis.
• In children age 11 through 18, it is called adolescent scoliosis.

Scoliosis most often affects girls. Some people are more likely to have curving of the spine. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.

Other types of scoliosis are:

• Congenital scoliosis: This type of scoliosis is present at birth. It occurs when the baby’s ribs or spine bones do not form properly.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: This type is caused by a nervous system problem that affects the muscles. Problems can include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and polio.

Back to TopSymptoms »

Usually there are no symptoms.

If there are symptoms, they may include:

• Backache or low-back pain
• Tired feeling in the spine after sitting or standing for a long time
• Uneven hips or shoulders (one shoulder may be higher than the other)
• Spine curves more to one side

Back to TopTreatment »

Treatment depends on many things:

• The cause of scoliosis
• Where the curve is in your spine
• How big the curve is
• If your body is still growing

Most people with idiopathic scoliosis do not need treatment. But you should still be checked by a doctor about every 6 months.

If you are still growing, your doctor might recommend a back brace. A back brace prevents further curving. There are many different types of braces. What kind you get depends on the size and location of your curve. Your health care provider will pick the best one for you and show you how to use it. Back braces can be adjusted as you grow.

Back braces work best in people over age 10. Braces do not work for those with congenital or neuromuscular scoliosis. 

Sometimes, surgery is needed:

• Scoliosis surgery involves correcting the curve as much as possible.
• The spine bones are held in place with one or two metal rods. The rods are held down with hooks and screws until the bone heals together.
• Surgery may be done with a cut through the back, belly area, or beneath the ribs.

After surgery, you may need to wear a brace for a while to keep the spine still.

You may need surgery if the spine curve is severe or getting worse very quickly. The surgeon may want to wait until all your bones stop growing, but this is not always possible.

Scoliosis treatment may also include:

• Emotional support. Some children, especially teens, may be self-conscious when using a back brace.
• Physical therapy and other specialists to help explain the treatments and make sure the brace fits correctly.

Back to TopSupport Groups

Seek support and more information from organizations that specialize in scoliosis.

Back to TopPrevention

Routine scoliosis screening is now done in middle schools.

Such screening has helped detect early scoliosis in many children.

Back to TopReferences

Thomas MA, Wang Y. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2008:chap 143.

Warner WC, Sawyer JR, Kelly DM. Scoliosis and kyphosis. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Mosby; 2012:chap 41.