Scoliosis Support Group

Scoliosis affects all ages: infants, children, adolescents, and adults. About 80% of scoliosis cases are called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Idiopathic means the "cause is unknown". Girls are 4 times more likely than boys to develop scoliosis. Most scoliosis develops between the ages of 10 and 16. The disorder runs in families and usually is painless in young people.

Unlike the naturally occurring curves in the spine, scoliosis causes the spine to curve abnormally to the left or right. Other physical signs of scoliosis include: uneven shoulders or waistline, leaning slightly to one side, shoulder blade prominence, or a rib hump on one side of the back (visible when the person is in the "dive" position).

There are several known causes of scoliosis, including abnormalities at birth in the vertebral bodies (i.e. blocks of bone in the spine), neuromuscular disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy), Marfan's syndrome, spinal injuries in a growing spine, and degenerative changes in adult spines.

Early scoliosis detection is key to help control curve progression and prevent spinal deformity. Many scoliosis patients only need non-operative treatments, such as bracing. Patients with more severe and progressing curves may require surgery. Surgical treatment of scoliosis has advanced dramatically since the early 1960s. Today patients can experience greater curve corrections and shorter recovery times.