Spine Condition
Scoliosis
Sideways spinal curves — and the right time to act.
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. Most cases are mild and require only monitoring, but moderate-to-severe scoliosis can cause back pain, breathing problems, and progressive deformity. Our spine team handles adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, adult degenerative scoliosis, and complex deformity correction — with the philosophy that surgery is only the right answer when the curve is severe, progressing, or symptomatic.
Understanding the Condition
What is Scoliosis?
A spine viewed from behind should be straight. A scoliotic spine has a sideways C-curve or S-curve, often combined with rotation of the vertebrae. The curve is measured in degrees (Cobb angle): below 10° is normal variation, 10–25° is mild, 25–45° is moderate, and over 45° is severe.
Scoliosis is classified as: (1) idiopathic — most common, cause unknown, often appears in adolescence; (2) congenital — present at birth from abnormal vertebral development; (3) neuromuscular — secondary to conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy; (4) degenerative — develops in adulthood from age-related disc and facet wear.
Common Causes
- Idiopathic (unknown cause — most common in adolescents)
- Genetic factors (often runs in families)
- Congenital vertebral malformations
- Neuromuscular conditions (cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida)
- Adult-onset degenerative changes
- Prior spine surgery or trauma
Common Symptoms
- Visible curvature of the spine, asymmetric shoulders or hips
- One shoulder blade more prominent than the other
- Uneven waistline or rib prominence on one side
- Back pain (more common in adult scoliosis)
- Severe cases: shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance
- In progressive curves: nerve symptoms in the legs
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist if a curve is detected on physical exam (school screening, primary care visit), if back pain accompanies a known curve, or if there is documented progression. Adolescent curves are watched until skeletal maturity. Adult curves causing pain, neurologic symptoms, or progressive deformity warrant evaluation.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Scoliosis
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Observation with periodic X-ray (most mild curves)
- Bracing (effective for adolescent curves 25–40° with growth remaining)
- Physical therapy (Schroth method or similar curve-specific programs)
- Pain management for symptomatic adult scoliosis
- Activity and ergonomic modification
Surgical Options
- Posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation — gold standard for severe curves
- Anterior spinal fusion — for select thoracolumbar curves
- Minimally invasive scoliosis correction (MIS) — newer technique with smaller incisions
- Decompression with fusion — for adult degenerative scoliosis with stenosis
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Most adolescent scoliosis is managed without surgery. For curves that progress to surgical thresholds, modern instrumentation achieves excellent correction with high patient satisfaction. Adult scoliosis surgery is more involved with longer recovery (3–6 months) but reliably relieves pain and restores function in well-selected cases.
Meet Your Team
Specialists Who Treat Scoliosis
Scoliosis — Frequently Asked Questions
Get Expert Help for Scoliosis
Our specialists can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the life you love.