It is a problem with your spine, causing it to bed sideways and twist. It can happen in the:
- Upper back (thoracic)
- Lower back (lumbar)
- Neck (cervical), but this is rare
Scoliosis can develop for many reasons. It can develop slowly or quickly. It depends on the cause.
Idiopathic (id-e-o-path-ic) scoliosis is the most common type. This means your care team does not know why it happens. 80 out of 100 scoliosis cases are idiopathic. It is often noticed at the start of puberty.
Neuromuscular disease causes scoliosis when muscles that support the spine become weak. The weak muscles cannot hold the back straight.
People with scoliosis often have uneven shoulders or hips. They often have a shoulder blade that sticks out. Changes are best seen when bending over. Most scoliosis is found during school or sports physicals.