Adult Scoliosis

Adult Scoliosis

The normal, healthy spine is straight when seen from the front or the back (frontal plane). When seen from the side, the healthy spine has several mild curvatures. By obtaining an X-ray of a standing person, the exact contour of the spine can be measured and then compared to normal values to determine if a significant spinal deformity is present. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral deviation of the spine. More precisely, if the spine, seen on an antero-posterior radiograph (abbreviated as "AP", ie. seen from the front), has a curvature that measures more than 10 degrees then a scoliosis is present. (figure 1)

When a curvature, or scoliosis, is mild then one may not be able to detect any abnormality without an X-ray. On the other hand, moderate or severe scoliosis can be noted due to an asymmetry of the back. A tilted waistline and skin folds may be present, as well as a hunching, or protrusion of the back. Frequently, such an asymmetry in the back is more noticeable with leaning forward.

There are many types of scoliosis, and people of all ages can be affected by scoliosis. In adults, scoliosis can result from several conditions, but most types fall into two different categories. In the first category is a person who had a scoliosis as a child/adolescent and the abnormal spine curve has increased into adult life or is becoming painful with aging. The second category of adult scoliosis is seen in patients who have never had a scoliosis as a child but begin to develop an abnormal curvature with aging. The spinal deformity in degenerative scoliosis is usually a mild side curvature involving predominantly the lower levels of the spine.