Scoliosis Facts

Statistics about scoliosis can provide valuable information about the condition. For example, out of every 1,000 children, three to five of them will develop a spinal curve that is considered serious enough for scoliosis treatment. Other scoliosis facts cover information such as how scoliosis runs in families and is more common in children who are over 10 years old.

 

An Overview of Scoliosis Facts

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder in which there is a sideways curvature of the spine, or backbone. The bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Some people who have scoliosis require scoliosis treatment. Other people, with milder spinal curves, may only need to visit their doctor for periodic observation.
 

Causes of Scoliosis

In most people (80-85 percent of cases), the cause of scoliosis is not known. This type of scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis. Doctors classify the other cases of scoliosis into one of two types: nonstructural (functional) scoliosis and structural scoliosis.
 
Nonstructural scoliosis is when the spine is structurally normal and the curve is temporary. In these cases, your doctor will try to find and correct the cause.
 
Structural scoliosis is when the spine has a fixed curve. In these cases, the cause could be a disease, injury, infection, or birth defect.

(Click Causes of Scoliosis for more information.)
 
(Scoliosis Facts Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD