The Different Types of Scoliosis and How They Affect the Body

Scoliosis, also known as spinal curvature, is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that can cause pain and restriction of physical movement in some cases. Scoliosis can develop at any age, but it tends to progress during adolescence when the spine grows faster than muscles and bones, resulting in an S-shape. There are three types of scoliosis based on the affected regions of the spine: lumbar, thoracic and cervical scoliosis.

Degenerative (arthritis) scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis is most often found in middle-aged adults; it’s caused by degeneration of joints, ligaments, discs, or bones—and it gets worse over time. Degenerative scoliosis typically develops after age 50. It happens because there are other issues involved with degeneration (such as osteoporosis) that affect your spine’s structure; if you have osteoporosis in one area, for example, you may have a greater chance of developing a different issue elsewhere. Degenerative scoliosis tends to affect more women than men. This type of scoliosis will get worse over time even without treatment.

Infantile scoliosis

Also known as idiopathic scoliosis, juvenile scoliosis affects people between ages 10 and 20. Its cause is unclear, but doctors know that growing bodies are more susceptible to developing it. It often goes away on its own or gets better with treatment. However, in some cases, juvenile scoliosis can lead to adult scoliosis if not treated early. Juvenile scoliosis should be diagnosed by a doctor during a child’s pre-teen years; it has very little effect on children under eight years old.

Juvenile scoliosis

The word juvenile makes it sound almost cute. A curvature that seems to come out of nowhere, at a time in your life when you’re doing everything you can to appear normal and attractive. But juvenile scoliosis is not a trivial problem, despite its name—it can have serious repercussions for your health. If left untreated, it can lead to serious breathing problems or even heart failure later on in life. Fortunately, scoliosis doesn’t usually get worse if treated early on; so let us tell you what you need to know about juvenile scoliosis right now.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The most common form of scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, is generally benign and often resolves on its own in time. It affects about 1 percent to 2 percent of young adults and adolescents—though statistics differ based on ethnicity. Idiopathic refers to a condition that has no clear cause, though it’s more common in girls than boys; black people are also at a higher risk than others. This type of scoliosis develops during puberty, but can occur anytime between ages 8 and 18; people with an average build are more likely to develop it than those who are overweight or underweight.

Asymmetrical Spinal Deformity (ASD) scoliosis

Asymmetrical spinal deformity is one of several types of scoliosis that develop during childhood, in contrast to other types which are more common in adults. Asymmetrical spinal deformity involves only a slight curve that will not increase as you age. This type can also involve neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness on one side or decreased sensation on one side. Your doctor will usually recommend an X-ray at age 10 or 11 to check for ASD scoliosis, after which you’ll get an exam every two years. If your curve progresses, your doctor may refer you to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis treatment options. The goal is to slow down, stop and eventually reverse curve progression before it worsens significantly enough to require surgical intervention.