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Scoliosis
7-minute read
Key facts
- Scoliosis is when your spine curves sideways and rotates, forming an 'S' or 'C' shape.
- It usually starts in children and teenagers while they're still growing.
- Scoliosis doesn't usually cause pain, but it can affect your posture or how you feel about your body.
- Treatment depends on the severity of your scoliosis and your age.
- People with scoliosis often need regular check-ups to see if the curve is getting worse.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways and rotates, forming an 'S' or 'C' shape.
It usually starts in children and teenagers while they're still growing, but it can happen at any age.
What are the symptoms of scoliosis?
Scoliosis doesn't usually cause pain or other symptoms. If the curve gets bigger, it might make it harder to breathe or cause you to feel self-conscious about how your body looks.
You might notice that:
- your head is not in line with the centre of your body
- one shoulder blade is higher than the other or sticks out more
- you have a gap between your arm and your trunk on one side
- one hip is higher than the other
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What causes scoliosis?
Most of the time, we don't know the cause of scoliosis. This is called idiopathic scoliosis and is the most common type. It usually happens in healthy children during their growth years.
Sometimes, scoliosis can be congenital, meaning you're born with it.
It can also be caused by nerve and muscle conditions, such as:
Scoliosis is not caused by:
- carrying a heavy school bag
- poor posture
- sleeping on a soft mattress
Females are more likely than males to develop severe scoliosis.
Scoliosis can also run in families.
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if you notice signs of scoliosis.
It's also important to see your doctor if you're worried about the way your back looks. Finding scoliosis early can help stop it from getting worse.
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How is scoliosis diagnosed?
Your doctor can find scoliosis with a physical examination of your:
- spine
- ribs
- hips
- shoulders
If your doctor thinks you might have scoliosis, they may order tests, such as:
Your doctor may also refer you to an orthopaedic specialist (a bone doctor) who can talk with you about your treatment options.
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How is scoliosis treated?
The way scoliosis is treated depends on how curved your spine is and your age.
For children, treatment options include:
- observation — your doctor will check your spine regularly to see if the curve gets worse
- casting — a special brace that you can't take off. It is used for babies and young children to help straighten the spine as they grow
- bracing — a removable brace that's worn for most of the day to stop the curve from getting worse
- surgery — the type of surgery depends on age and how severe the curve is
In young children, doctors often wait until the spine has finished growing before doing surgery. If surgery is needed early, they might insert growing rods to help straighten the spine. These rods are made longer as your child grows. Once your child is fully grown, a final surgery may be done to correct the spine.
In teenagers and young adults (whose spines have stopped growing), a spinal instrumentation surgery may be suggested. This means placing a support frame inside the back to straighten the spine and stop the curve from getting worse. Sometimes, a spinal fusion is also done, which joins bones in the spine together.
Exercise and physiotherapy can help with muscle pain.
Without treatment, the curve of your spine may keep getting worse.
Living with scoliosis
Most people with scoliosis live normal, active lives.
Scoliosis can affect how you feel about your body. If you're feeling upset or worried, talk to someone you trust.
If your child has scoliosis, encourage them to talk with others who have the condition. This may help them feel more confident and supported.
What are the complications of scoliosis?
Most of the time, scoliosis doesn't cause serious physical problems.
If your scoliosis becomes more severe, your ribcage can be pushed against your heart and lungs. This can make it harder to breathe and may raise your chances of lung infections such as pneumonia. It can also lead to problems such as heart failure.
Sometimes, spinal surgery can cause the bones to push on your nerves. This might lead to:
- pain in your back
- numbness, pain or weakness in your legs
- incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control)
Emotional complications
Having a curved spine or wearing a back brace can affect how you feel about your body image and lower your self-esteem. This can be especially tough for children and teenagers.
Can scoliosis be prevented?
Scoliosis cannot be prevented because the cause is often unknown.
Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent the curve from getting worse.
Resources and support
Scoliosis Australia offers information about scoliosis on several topics, including:
- how to check for scoliosis
- causes, symptoms and treatment for scoliosis
- bracing in scoliosis
- the role of exercise and physiotherapy for scoliosis
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network offers a fact sheet on scoliosis.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.