What you should know about adult scoliosis

Mention scoliosis and many of us picture a child with a noticeable curve to their back.  But scoliosis is not just for kids.  Adults also can have scoliosis and many without any symptoms having lived with it for many years.

Scoliosis in adults

Scoliosis is an abnormal curve in the spine or backbone with most causes of it being unknown or idiopathic.  It affects about 2% of females and 0.5% of males with the most common location for this disorder found in the thoracic spine. Risk factors for scoliosis include being female, having a family history, and being between the ages of 9-15 as this is often when symptoms begin.

Usually associated with childhood, scoliosis can also develop in adults, and when it does, there are a couple main reasons for this: One is called idiopathic adult scoliosis which results from the progression of scoliosis that was present in childhood. The other reason is due to degenerative scoliosis, which does not occur until adulthood. Adult scoliosis usually stems from a problem in the lumbar spine (lower back) but can also be related to osteoarthritis and spinal degeneration.

Other possible cases of scoliosis in adulthood could be a fracture or injury leading to an imbalance in the spine resulting in scoliosis. Arthritis, damage to discs, a complication from a surgery or having legs of different lengths can cause the spine to slowly curve more than it should.

One common culprit is asymmetrical disc collapse. Most people with degenerative disc problems have spinal discs – the circular cushions of cartilage between vertebrae – that collapse, or get compressed, the same way throughout the disc.  But if the disc sinks more to one side than the other, that can lead to a curve.

What are the symptoms of adult scoliosis?

Not everyone with adult scoliosis has symptoms but it can often cause back pain or pain in one or both legs. Family members may suspect scoliosis if they notice their loved one’s waist or shoulders is not symmetrical – one hip or shoulder may be higher than the other.

Can adult scoliosis be fixed?

Anyone who has back, leg or nerve pain, balance problems, notices a change in the symmetry of their shoulders or is experiencing progressive height loss, should see their doctor. Scoliosis is easier to treat early, before there is a dramatic curve to the spine.

For some people, physical therapy, cardiovascular exercise, and core-strengthening exercises like yoga or Pilates can alleviate some scoliosis symptoms. The point of physical therapy is to teach people exercises they can do on their own which over time will strengthen the shape and function of the spine.

It is not recommended for adults to wear a back brace as bracing can do more harm than good.

Most individuals with adult scoliosis will not need surgery, but when nonsurgical treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy are ineffective, minimally invasive or open surgery may be necessary to correct spinal curves causing persistent pain. If surgery is necessary, a patient should pick a surgeon specifically trained to treat spine deformities. A full recovery following spine surgery can take as long as six months.

Ways to prevent adult scoliosis from progressing

There are two best ways to keep adult scoliosis from progressing – maintaining a healthy body weight and keeping bones strong and healthy.

Avoiding osteoporosis will be a big factor for prevention of scoliosis progression. The weaker the bones become, the faster the curve will progress. Fragile bones also can be a barrier to corrective spinal surgery.

Strengthening bones can be enhanced by regular, weight-bearing exercise (walking or lifting weights), exposure to sunlight and taking a vitamin D supplement and to consume foods rich in bone-building calcium such as all dairy foods and green leafy vegetables. Women past the age of 50 should ask their doctor or gynecologist about getting a bone mineral density test.