About 1 in 100 (1%) of the general population has some type of scoliosis. Fortunately, most cases of scoliosis are mild.

This information will help you understand your choices, whether you share in the decision - making process or rely on your doctors recommendation.Key points in making your decisionSurgery for scoliosis is only done to correct severe spinal curves.

What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in your spine. Some curves in your spine are normal. But a few people have spines that make a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter S or the letter C. If this curve is severe,

Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Should I (or my child) have surgery for scoliosis?

In about 80% of cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. It develops mostly in children and teens and appears to be related to several factors, including genetics, as it often runs in families.

In children and teens, scoliosis generally does not cause symptoms and is not obvious until the curve of the spine becomes severe. It may first become noticeable to a parent who observes that the childs clothes do not fit right or that hems hang unevenly

Idiopathic scoliosis, the most common type, does not have a known cause. Children who have this type of scoliosis usually first develop symptoms between the ages of 8 and 10. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, involving small curves in the spine that do no

Factors that increase a persons risk for scoliosis include: Family history. Scoliosis is known to run in families. Children - especially daughters - of women who have scoliosis are at increased risk for having scoliosis.Being female. Girls between the ag

Call your health professional to have your child evaluated for scoliosis if: You observe a curve in your childs spine.You notice that something about your childs posture looks unusual, such as ribs that stick out, one shoulder that is higher than the ot

Scoliosis testing usually begins with a history and physical exam. This includes the forward - bending test, a simple test in which the child bends forward at the waist, arms hanging loosely and palms touching, and the examiner looks for unevenness in the

The goal of treatment for scoliosis is to prevent the spinal curve from getting worse and to correct or stabilize a severe spinal curve. Fortunately, less than 10% of people who have spinal curves of more than 10 degrees require treatment. The type of tre

Scoliosis cannot be prevented. Treatment is aimed at preventing the curve from getting worse.

If your child or teen has been diagnosed with mild scoliosis and has a spinal curve of less than 25 degrees, it is important that a doctor check the childs spine every 4 to 6 months to see whether the curve is getting worse.

When back pain occurs in association with scoliosis, the pain may be caused by problems in a muscle, disc, facet, or nerve root, or by a tumor. It is not usually caused by the curve itself. Some people may use nonprescription medicines such as aspirin and

Surgery may be used to treat severe scoliosis. The goal of surgery is to improve a severe spinal curve. The result will not be a perfectly straight spine, but the goal is to balance the spine and to make sure the curve does not get worse.

Treatment other than surgery for scoliosis includes: Observation. In a child who is still growing, a spinal curve that is less than 25 degrees may require only regular checkups every 4 to 6 months to see whether the curve is getting worse. And wearing a b

A list of resources for information on Scoliosis.

A list of topics related to scoliosis.

A list of resources for information on Scoliosis.

A list of authors that contributed to the topic on Scoliosis.