The symptoms of scoliosis vary and are related to the degree of the curve, if associated with pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, and on the location where the curve has developed, among other factors.
The most common symptoms of adult scoliosis are back pain and pain down the legs. Other symptoms:
- Inability to stand up straight/person appears to lean to one side
- Individuals may notice their clothing fits differently or doesn’t hang straight
- Odd alignment of shoulder blades; sometimes one shoulder blade will be higher or stick out farther than the other
- Visible difference in where the arms hang beside the body
- Visible hump or prominence on the back near the ribs or waist once curve reaches 30 to 40 degrees
- Unevenly aligned hips; one hip may be higher than the other or stick out farther
- Pain in the legs, pins and needles, or difficulty walking due to compression of nerves
- Urinary or bowel symptoms including incontinence or retention
- Breathing problems at higher level curves
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