Why is a Diagnosis of Scoliosis Important?

There are several types of scoliosis, and it occurs most often in children between 9 and 15 years of age.

Typically, scoliosis is classified as congenital, meaning there were vertebral deformities or anomalies present at birth, or acquired. Congenital scoliosis accounts for about 15 to 20 percent of all cases, while acquired accounts for 80 to 85 percent of cases.

Scoliosis symptoms include one shoulder blade that’s more prominent than the other and uneven shoulders, waist or hips.

In many cases, scoliosis treatment isn’t required. Some children will need to wear a scoliosis brace to keep the curve of the spine from getting worse. Wearing a brace won't cure scoliosis, but it usually prevents further progression of the curve. Most patients who wear scoliosis braces keep them on day and night, and stop wearing them after the bones stop growing.

The most common type of scoliosis surgery is called spinal fusion, in which surgeons connect two or more of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) together. Then, bone or a bone-like material is placed between the vertebrae and held in place by metal rods, screws, wires or hooks.