Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, but can also occur as adult degrative scoliosis.
While scoliosis can occur in people with conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most cases of childhood scoliosis is unknown.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, however, some curves worsen with time and growth, and can become disabling. A severe spinal curve can have compounding effects such as reducing the amount of space within a person’s chest, causing difficulty for proper lung functions.
It’s important to monitor those with mild scoliosis closely using X-rays in order to see if the curve is getting worse. In many cases, no treatment is required.
Some cases require a brace to stop the curve from worsening, while others require surgery to address severe curves.
