Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves laterally. A healthy adult spine viewed from the back appears straight. A spine with scoliosis, however, shows an abnormal sideways curve that most commonly develops in the thoracic (mid-back) region. Adult scoliosis is often a result of worn-out joints and spinal discs. It is often associated with an abnormal posture in the front-back plane known as kyphosis. (See Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis for information about scoliosis in young patients.)
The sideways spinal curve of adult scoliosis can lead to an uneven distribution of weight that can cause pain and neurological problems including weakness. Adult scoliosis is not just disfiguring but can be disabling as well, as any spinal deformity that causes an individual’s body to compensate in unnatural ways can lead to pain and discomfort.
What Causes Scoliosis?
Some cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning it’s not known what causes them, but sometimes the causes can be congenital, neuromuscular, or associated with known syndromes (such as neurofibromatosis).
Reviewed by: Kai-Ming Fu, MD, PhD
Last reviewed/last updated: August 2021
Illustration by Thom Graves, CMI