What Causes Scoliosis and How Does it Affect the Spine?

Scoliosis is a medical condition that results in an abnormal curvature of the spine. Often, it causes the spine to curve sideways in either an “S” or “C” shape. While this condition can affect people of all ages, its symptoms, onset, and severity can differ based on factors like age and the region of the spine affected.

The human spine is comprised of various sections, including the cervical (neck), thoracic (chest and upper back region), and lumbar (lower back) regions. The natural structure of a healthy spine has the neck (cervical) section at the top, followed by the thoracic and lumbar sections, and finally ending with the sacrum and coccyx (tailbone).

Degenerative scoliosis, a specific form of this condition, arises due to degenerative changes of the vertebrae & disks of the spine in adults. It represents a sideways curve that can be attributed to age-induced wear and tear. Learn more about degenerative scoliosis here.

The normal thoracolumbar spine is relatively straight when viewed from the side but has double curvature when viewed from the front. Specifically, the thoracic spine bows outward (kyphosis), while the lumbar spine bows inward (lordosis). Ideally, there should be no lateral curvature in the spine.

It’s important to understand that scoliosis is primarily a coronal plane (side-to-side) deformity. It can have varying implications depending on the patient’s age. For instance, infants and young children with scoliosis might exhibit symptoms like cosmetic problems, sitting imbalance, and even breathing difficulties.

Doctors employ specific treatment approaches based on the curve type and its location. Certain curves, like thoracolumbar and lumbar deformities, are traditionally treated using an anterior approach. This method is advantageous as it enables the fusion of the fewest spine levels possible and permits three-dimensional correction of the spinal deformity. Read more about spinal deformity treatments here.

A crucial diagnostic criterion for scoliosis is that the spine must have a curvature of 10 degrees or more. Besides curvature, the bones inside the spine (vertebrae) can also rotate in some individuals, which can exacerbate the condition.

For a comprehensive understanding of scoliosis, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, visit this detailed guide.