Scoliosis in Adults

What is scoliosis in adults? First of all, what is scoliosis? This is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. This is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence but it can also be diagnosed in adults. You see, the normal curves of the spine occurs at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions in the “sagittal” plane. These natural curves position the head over the pelvis and work as shock absorbers to distribute mechanical stress during movement.

scoliosis in adults

If you were diagnosed with scoliosis and you’re already an adult, it is distinctive from childhood scoliosis because the underlying causes and goals of treatment differ in patients who have already reached skeletal maturity.
 
 
 
 

Scoliosis In Adults Can Be Divided Into Three Categories:

  • Adult scoliosis patients who surgically treated as adoloscents
  • Adults who did not receive treatment when they were younger
  • Adults with degenerative scoliosis

What Is Degenerative Scoliosis?

This occurs frequently in the lumbar spine or the lower back and it usually affects people age 65 and older. Usually, this is accompanies by spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal, which pinches the spinal nerves and makes it difficult for them to function normally. The back pain associated with this particular type of scoliosis in adults usually begins gradually and is often linked with activity.
 

Signs/Symptoms Of Scoliosis:

  • Uneven shoulders
  • Head is not directly centered above the pelvis
  • One or both hips are raised or unusually high
  • Rib cages are at different heights
  • Uneven waist
  • Appearance or texture of the skin overlying the spine changes lik dimples, hairy patches, color abnormalities
  • The entire body leans to one side

If your doctor suspects that you have scoliosis after performing a physical examination, he or she will order radiological tests to confirm the diagnosis. For scoliosis in adults, x-rays are often recommended once every 5 years, unless symptoms are getting progressively worse.

There is a 20-year study that states that almost 40% of patients who have scoliosis experienced a progression, while 10% showed a very significant progressions while the remaining 30% experienced a very mild progression, usually of less than one degree per year.

The progression of the curve depends on factors like the age of diagnosis, age and outcome or original treatment, and severity and location of the curvature.

Adults who were treated as children may need revision surgery. If they were treated 20-30 years ago, before major advances in spinal surgery procedures were implemented.
 

How Do You Treat Scoliosis In Adults?

  • Consult your doctor if you experience the symptoms listed above.
  • Go through a series of diagnostic tests to determine if you have scoliosis
  • Evaluate your non-surgical treatment options first like moist heat, over-the-counter prescription anti-inflammatory and pain medicines, moderate exercise and physical injection therapies.
  • You can consider durgery if the curve is in the middle of your back (thoracic), exceeds 50 degrees and is accompanies by constant pain
  • Review all your treatment options with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your condition
  • Visit your doctor every 5 years to have your condition evaluated