Scoliosis FAQ • What Is Scoliosis? • What Causes Scoliosis? • How Does the Doctor Diagnose Scoliosis? • Does Scoliosis Have To Be Treated? What Are the Treatments? • Are There Other Ways To Treat Scoliosis? • Which Brace Is Best? • If the Doctor Recommends Surgery, Which Procedure Is Best? • Can People with Scoliosis Exercise? • What Are Researchers Trying To Find Out About Scoliosis? • Where Can People Get More Information About Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Some people who have scoliosis require treatment. Other people, who have milder curves, may only need to visit their doctor for periodic observation.

People of all ages can have scoliosis, but this booklet focuses on children and adolescents. Of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curves that are considered large enough to need treatment. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (scoliosis of unknown cause) is the most common type and occurs after the age of 10. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis. Since scoliosis can run in families, a child who has a parent, brother, or sister with idiopathic scoliosis should be checked regularly for scoliosis by the family physician.

Idiopathic scoliosis can also occur in children younger than 10 years of age, but is very rare. Early onset or infantile idiopathic scoliosis occurs in children less than 3 years old. It is more common in Europe than in the United States. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 10.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.