All spines have curves, but occasionally the spine twists and develops curves in the wrong direction - sideways. It is natural for the spine to curve forward and backward to a certain degree; this is what gives the spine its "S"-like shape. However, when a person's spine twists and develops an "S" -shaped side-to-side/lateral curve, it is a condition known as scoliosis.

Scoliosis is a deformity in the spine that causes an abnormal C-shaped (one curve) or S-shaped curvature (two curves). The spine is not straight but curves to one or both sides. There are three types of scoliosis depending on when it develops. Infantile occurs from birth to three years of age. Juvenile scoliosis develops between four and nine years of age. Adolescent presents between 10 years and when growth is complete. Adults can have residuals of childhood scoliosis.
This guide will help you understand
• what parts of the spine are involved
• what causes the condition
• what treatment options are available

There are many causes of scoliosis, but AIS is the most common. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other diseases or causes have to be ruled out first. AIS is defined as a persistent lateral curvature of the spine of more than 10 degrees in the upright or standing position. Although the lateral curvature is the main component it can also be associated with rotation of the spine, and different plane curvatures. These additional curvatures and rotation make AIS a complex three-dimensional deformity.
Updated: 03-Mar-2005

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a lateral (side) curvature of the spine that can occur in children aged 10 to maturity. The spine may curve to the left or right. Sometimes AIS may start at puberty or during an adolescent growth spurt. Expert

Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, is a condition many people associate only with adolescents. But adults can have scoliosis as well. Adult scoliosis is defined as abnormal curvature of the spine in a patient over the age of 18. Sometimes this is the result of a childhood curvature that was left untreated and has since progressed. If scoliosis occurs in an adult with no history of a childhood curvature, it is classified as adult degenerative (de novo) scoliosis. Expert

Cerebral Palsy, or CP, is a group of disorders characterized by damage to the brain that makes it difficult or impossible to control movement in the legs, arms, and sometimes the trunk. Muscle spasticity or stiffness occurs making everyday activities such as walking, talking, eating, and holding objects difficult. CP is usually discovered early in a child’s life and in most cases does not worsen over time. Expert

Congenital scoliosis is the result of malformations that occurred to the spine during fetal development. In some patients, the spine and its components are not fully formed (such as in a condition called hemivertebra in which only half a vertebra is present) or when the spine is not correctly segmented (such as when vertebrae are stuck together on one side, a condition called unilateral bar). Expert

Patient Information In depth review of scoliosis

Fact sheet including causes and treatments

In Depth Review of Scoliosis - Common Types (Idiopathic) Highly Reputable

Clinical Assessment

Overview of imaging (X-ray, CT scans, and MRI) used in diagnosis
Initial imaging evaluation of a patient suspected of having scoliosis is by a standing posterior-anterior thoracolumbar spine radiograph done on a single long film. Modern radiographic techniques minimize radiation exposure Highly Reputable

Introduction
When one views a normal spine form behind, the back appears straight and the trunk symmetrical. When the normal spine is viewed from the side, curves are seen in the neck, upper trunk and lower trunk. The upper trunk has a gentle rounded contour called kyphosis and the lower trunk has a reverse direction of the rounded contour called lordosis. Deviations from this normal alignment may reflect abnormal kyphosis or lordosis or, more commonly, scoliosis. Highly Reputable

Scoliosis in an adult can lead to significant pain and disability. Non-operative treatment is not always successful in treating this condition and thus in a small group of patients surgical treatment may be considered. The operative care for adult scoliosis is complex and requires and experienced team. Even in the very best centers the results are not always good and complications are unfortunately not uncommon. There are a number of things which may not go as planned in the setting of adult scoliosis. The surgery is often long, blood loss may be heavy and risks of nerve irritation/injury, infection and poor healing are high. Even after the initial surgical period, complications or poor results may become apparent due to loss of proper spinal balance (flatback, kyphotic decompensation syndrome, flatbuttock), failure of good bone healing (pseudarthrosis) and degeneration or failure of unfused levels of the spine (decompensation, instability). Expert

Written for children. Includes diagnosis, signs, and treatments. Expert