{"id":7294,"date":"2022-02-09T23:14:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T23:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scolicare.com\/seattle-washington\/signs-and-symptoms-of-adult-degenerative-lumbar-scoliosis\/"},"modified":"2022-02-09T23:14:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T23:14:46","slug":"signs-and-symptoms-of-adult-degenerative-lumbar-scoliosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/scolicare.com\/north-carolina\/signs-and-symptoms-of-adult-degenerative-lumbar-scoliosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs and Symptoms of Adult Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scoliosis can start in later life too<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rosemary Marchese, Physiotherapist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adult degenerative scoliosis, or denovo scoliosis, is a structural change of the spine with a higher incidence than adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The aging population has resulted in more and more cases of this type of adult scoliosis presenting in general practice (1). The longer we live, the more likely we will face degenerative changes in the spine. This can predispose us to the onset of scoliosis that only starts in adulthood. Sure, there can be many patients facing scoliosis that started in early childhood or adolescence, but there is this growing number of people that need our attention – adults with a new case of scoliosis.<\/p>\n

How does Adult Denovo Scoliosis Occur?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This type of scoliosis occurs because of spinal degeneration. This involves asymmetric degeneration of the intervertebral discs and facet joints at different levels, which leads to unequal loading of the spinal column (2, 3). This asymmetric loading, coupled with degeneration, creates instability in the spine, leading to curve progression and an eventual 3D deformity (4). The lumbar spine is particularly at risk of disc degeneration and thus it\u2019s easy to see why this condition often occurs in the lumbar spine.<\/p>\n

Osteophytes will form at the facet joints and vertebral end plates, which will add to any already existing narrowing of the spinal canal (4). This is then exaggerated by ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and calcification (4). Foraminal stenosis results (5, 6).<\/p>\n

Instability of the spinal column then causes further destruction of the fact joints and intervertebral discs. Clinically, we may see this as spondylolisthesis or lateral listhesis, or both. Patients who have had extensive facetectomies during spine surgery are also at risk of instability and the onset of scoliosis.<\/p>\n

Does Adult Scoliosis Hurt?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Indeed it often does. Back pain and leg pain are common in these patients, with incidence reports varying between 40-90% (7). Back pain happens for many reasons, such as:<\/p>\n