2-4% of adolescents will develop Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine develops abnormal side to side curves. These curves have to exceed 10 degrees measured using a cobb angle and they have to exhibit rotation typically greatest at the apical vertebra. About 4% of adolescents will develop scoliosis with about 70% of those cases being idiopathic. Idiopathic means “of unknown cause”, so we still don’t know what causes the majority of scoliosis cases.
Roughly 30% of scoliosis cases have a know cause. These cases of scoliosis may be due to congenital birth defects, syndromes like Marfan’s syndrome or Ehler Danlos Syndrome, Neurological conditions like Cerebral Palsy or traumatic spinal cord injuries or in the worst cases spinal cord or spinal bone tumors.
While most people equate scoliosis as a condition that affects kids the majority of scoliosis actually effects adults.
Up to 68% of adults will develop Adult Onset DeNovo Scoliosis or suffer worsening of an Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Adult-Onset Scoliosis also know as DeNovo Degenerative Scoliosis. Some studies show that up to 68% of adults once they reach their 60’s will develop an Adult-Onset Scoliosis or DeNovo Degenerative scoliosis. These cases typically involve quite a bit of pain, that’s what brings them to the doctor. The reason there is so much pain with these cases is the spine is degenerating. The discs and vertebra are losing their integrity and the spine is collapsing, slowly over time. Some studies have shown these scoliosis curves progressing from 1-3 degrees per year. Treatment for DeNovo Scoliosis is difficult.
Most adults with DeNovo Scoliosis will seek help for the pain. This can lead them to Physical Therapy, which can help with the pain but won’t stop the progression of the curve. It can lead them to pain management, which can help them with the pain but won’t stop the progression of the curve. It can lead them the Chiropractic treatment, which can help them with the pain but won’t stop progression of the curve. So slowly and steadily, the spine continues to collapse and the pain returns. In the end the spine is going to need support.
How do you support an Adult Onset Degenerative Scoliosis or progressing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in adults.
Supporting a degenerating spine in adults is difficult at best and has two options.
Option 1 is supporting the spine from the inside, with surgery. If the patient is healthy enough and the spine is not too broken down then rods can be implanted and the spine can be fused to hold the spine up. This option, however, comes with some risks. According to a study by Schoutens et al in 2019, surgical risks for adult scoliosis surgery can include.
