Curvature of the spine, or scoliosis, can be caused by congenital, developmental or degenerative problems. However, at present, the vast majority of cases of scoliosis actually have no known cause.
It is important to note that scoliosis is not usually a cause of back pain. The condition represents a deformity of the spine but is not usually painful. Of course, people with scoliosis can develop back pain, just as most of the adult population can develop back pain. However, it has never been found that people with idiopathic scoliosis (the most common form of scoliosis) are any more likely to develop back pain than the rest of the population. People with degenerative scoliosis can develop pain from osteoarthritic joints.
Scoliosis usually develops in the thoracic spine (upper back) or the thoracolumbar area of the spine, which is between the thoracic spine and lumbar spine (lower back). It may also occur just in the lower back. The curvature of the spine from scoliosis may develop as a single curve (shaped like the letter C) or as two curves (shaped like the letter S).
There are four main forms of scoliosis:
-
Congenital scoliosis. This is a relatively rare form of congenital malformation of the spine. These patients will often develop scoliotic deformities in their infancy.
-
Juvenile scoliosis. Another uncommon form is the development of scoliosis in childhood.
-
Idiopathic scoliosis. By far the most common form of scoliosis is idiopathic scoliosis (also referred to as adolescent scoliosis), which develops in adolescents and progresses mostly during the adolescent growth spurt.
-
Degenerative scoliosis. Scoliosis can also develop later in life, as joints in the spine degenerate and create a bend in the back. This condition is sometimes called adult scoliosis.
Idiopathic scoliosis, the most common form of scoliosis, occurs to a greater or lesser degree in approximately one half million adolescents in the US. There is no known cause of this type of scoliosis, although it tends to occur in families. Significant curvature of the spine is much more prevalent in girls than in boys. The majority of curves do not require treatment.
Because idiopathic scoliosis is considered a deformity, scoliosis treatment is largely centered on reducing or limiting the progression of the deformity and is not focused on treatment of pain.