Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in your spine
Scoliosis means your backbone curves sideways instead of running straight down the middle of your body. A healthy spine has a slight natural curve when you look at it from the side, but scoliosis creates a curve you can see from the front or back — often shaped like an S or a C. The curve can range from mild to severe, and it can develop at any age, though it most often appears during childhood and the teenage years.
Most people with scoliosis have no clear reason for the curve — doctors call this idiopathic scoliosis, which simply means "scoliosis with no known cause." In some cases, a curve develops because of a birth defect, an injury, muscle weakness from a nerve condition, or a disease that affects the bones. Scoliosis itself is not a disease; it is a structural difference in how the spine is shaped.
Key Takeaways
- Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that can be mild or severe and may or may not cause symptoms.
- Most scoliosis in children and teenagers has no known cause, though it can also result from birth defects, injuries, or certain medical conditions.
- Doctors diagnose scoliosis by examining your posture and taking an X-ray to measure the curve.
- Treatment depends on how old you are, how severe the curve is, and whether it is getting worse over time.
- Many people with mild scoliosis need no treatment beyond regular check-ups to watch for changes.
How doctors spot scoliosis
A doctor usually notices scoliosis during a routine physical exam or when a parent or school nurse sees that a child's shoulders or hips look uneven. The doctor will ask you to stand and bend forward at the waist with your arms hanging down — this simple movement, called the forward bend test, makes a curve much easier to see. If the doctor suspects scoliosis, they will order an X-ray to measure exactly how much the spine curves.
The X-ray shows the degree of the curve in units called degrees. A curve of 10 degrees or less is considered very mild and usually does not need treatment. Curves between 10 and 25 degrees are mild to moderate. Curves above 50 degrees are considered severe and are more likely to cause problems as you grow or age. The doctor will also look at whether you are still growing, because a curve in a growing child can become worse over time in a way that a curve in an adult usually does not.
What scoliosis feels like
Many people with scoliosis have no symptoms at all — they feel fine and have no pain. Others notice that their clothes fit unevenly, one shoulder sits higher than the other, or one hip sticks out more than the other. Some people feel tired more easily or notice that one side of their rib cage sticks out farther than the other.
Pain is not common in children and teenagers with scoliosis, but it can happen in adults, especially if the curve is severe or has been present for many years. Back pain in someone with scoliosis should always be checked by a doctor, because it might signal something else going on in addition to the curve. In rare cases, a very severe curve can press on the lungs and make breathing harder, but this usually only happens when the curve is quite large.
Why scoliosis develops
In about 80 percent of people with scoliosis, doctors never find a specific reason for the curve — it simply develops, and genetics may play a role. If a parent or sibling has scoliosis, your own risk is higher, though having a family history does not mean you will definitely develop it.
In other cases, scoliosis has a clear cause. Birth defects can affect how the spine forms before birth. Injuries to the spine, especially during childhood when bones are still growing, can lead to a curve. Certain conditions that weaken muscles — such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy — can cause scoliosis because weak muscles cannot hold the spine straight. Diseases that affect bone health, or treatments like radiation therapy for cancer, can also result in a curved spine.
The difference between mild and severe curves
A mild curve — usually under 25 degrees — rarely causes problems and often does not need treatment beyond watching it over time. Your doctor will see you every few months or once a year to take new X-rays and make sure the curve is not getting worse. Many mild curves stay the same size for years or even a lifetime.
A moderate curve — between 25 and 40 degrees — may need a brace if you are still growing, because bracing can slow or stop the curve from getting worse during the years when your spine is still developing. Once you stop growing, a moderate curve that is not causing pain usually does not need treatment, though your doctor will still monitor it.
A severe curve — above 50 degrees — is more likely to get worse over time and can eventually affect how your lungs work or cause pain. Severe curves are often treated with surgery to straighten and stabilize the spine. Surgery is also considered if a moderate curve is getting noticeably worse or if the curve is causing pain or breathing problems.
What happens after diagnosis
After your doctor diagnoses scoliosis and measures the curve, the next step depends on your age and the size of the curve. If you are still growing and have a curve between 25 and 40 degrees, your doctor will likely recommend a brace — a custom-fitted device you wear under your clothes for several hours a day or overnight. The brace does not straighten a curve that is already there, but it can prevent the curve from getting worse while your bones are still developing.
If your curve is mild and you are still growing, your doctor will schedule regular X-rays — usually every four to six months — to watch for changes. If you have finished growing and your curve is mild to moderate and not causing problems, you may only need an X-ray every year or two.
If your curve is severe or is getting worse quickly, your doctor will refer you to a spine specialist — an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon who focuses on the spine. This specialist will discuss whether surgery makes sense for your situation. Surgery for scoliosis involves placing metal rods and screws along the spine to hold it in a straighter position while the bones fuse together. Most people who have scoliosis surgery see significant improvement in how straight their spine is, though the surgery does not make the spine completely straight.
Living with scoliosis
Most people with scoliosis live normal, active lives. You can play sports, exercise, and do the things you want to do. There is no evidence that scoliosis itself causes problems during pregnancy, though you should tell your doctor about your scoliosis if you become pregnant so they can monitor you.
If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis, staying in touch with your doctor is important so they can track whether the curve is changing. Keep your follow-up appointments and get X-rays when your doctor recommends them. If you develop new pain, notice that your curve looks worse, or have trouble breathing, contact your doctor right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can scoliosis go away on its own?
No, scoliosis does not go away on its own. A curve that is already there will not straighten without treatment. However, a mild curve often stays the same size for years without getting worse, so it may not need any treatment beyond regular check-ups.
Is scoliosis painful?
Most children and teenagers with scoliosis do not have pain. Pain is more common in adults with scoliosis, especially if the curve is severe or has been present for many years. If you have scoliosis and develop back pain, tell your doctor, because it might signal something else that needs attention.
Can you prevent scoliosis?
You cannot prevent idiopathic scoliosis — the most common type — because doctors do not know what causes it. Scoliosis caused by birth defects or certain medical conditions also cannot be prevented, though early treatment can sometimes slow how fast the curve gets worse.
Does scoliosis get worse as you age?
In children and teenagers, a curve can get worse as the spine grows. Once you stop growing — usually in your late teens or early twenties — the curve typically stops getting worse on its own. However, a severe curve may gradually worsen over many decades in adulthood, which is why regular check-ups matter.
Can you play sports with scoliosis?
Yes, most people with scoliosis can play sports and exercise normally. Talk with your doctor about what activities are safe for you based on how severe your curve is and whether you are wearing a brace. Some people with severe scoliosis may need to avoid certain high-impact activities, but your doctor can guide you on what works for your situation.