Receiving a scoliosis diagnosis as an adult can be daunting. Many people wonder how it happened, what the future holds, and whether it can be treated. Understanding scoliosis in adults can provide clarity and hope, guiding you toward effective treatment options.
Scoliosis Beyond Childhood
While scoliosis is often associated with children and adolescents, it can affect adults as well. In fact, the prevalence of scoliosis increases with age. For instance, while up to 5% [1] of adolescents have idiopathic scoliosis, this number rises dramatically in older adults. It is estimated that up to 68% of adults aged 60-90 years will have an adult scoliosis [2]. This rise is due to both the progression of adolescent scoliosis into adulthood and the onset of degenerative scoliosis.
Types of Adult Scoliosis
Adolescent Scoliosis in Adult (ASA)
Adolescent Scoliosis in Adults (ASA) refers to cases where scoliosis, typically diagnosed during adolescence, persists or progresses into adulthood. This pre-existing condition may have been identified in youth, but in some instances, individuals might not have been diagnosed until later in life. The progression of ASA varies, with some cases remaining stable while others may worsen over time, depending on various factors such as age, lifestyle, and overall health.
Degenerative De-Novo Scoliosis (DDS)
Degenerative scoliosis, also known as de-novo scoliosis, arises from spinal degeneration associated with aging. It generally affects individuals over 45 and for women becomes increasingly common around menopause. Unlike ASA, DDS is typically progressive and can frequently lead to lower back pain due to degenerative instability.
Symptoms of Adult Scoliosis 
Adult scoliosis symptoms differ significantly from those in adolescents. While children with scoliosis often do not experience pain, adults usually suffer from pain caused by spinal compression and instability. Common symptoms include:
- Localised back pain
- Postural changes/collapse including a forward lean or hunch
- Significant loss of standing or sitting height
- Balance issues
- Impact on movement and quality of life
These symptoms can co-exist with other clinical factors such as history of surgery, family history of scoliosis, menopause or a diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis, all of which can have a compounding effect on scoliosis progression.
The Importance of Early Treatment
Many adults seek scoliosis treatment primarily for pain relief. However, addressing the underlying curvature is crucial. Untreated scoliosis can lead to increased pain, further spinal degeneration, and more invasive treatment options in the future. Early intervention can significantly enhance quality of life.
Treatment Options for Adult Scoliosis
There are various treatment options available for adult patients with scoliosis, focusing primarily on stabilization, pain relief, and improving spinal balance.
Custom Bracing: Wearing a custom 3D scoliosis brace may help support the spine, realign posture, slow or stop progression, reduce pain, and improve quality of life. In some cases, adults may only need to wear the brace part-time each day.
Scoliosis Specific Exercise Rehabilitation: Scoliosis specific exercise programs, like ScoliBalance®, focus on improving spinal balance, stabilising the spine and reducing pain. Rehabilitation may be used in combination with bracing for optimal results.
Taking Control of Your Scoliosis
With so much information online, a scoliosis diagnosis can feel overwhelming. However, there is hope. Taking a proactive approach to seeking treatment can help address scoliosis early and prevent further spinal degeneration, reducing the need for invasive treatments later.
If you notice changes in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait until symptoms worsen. Take action today and contact our team to explore your treatment options.
References
1. Weinstein S, Dolan, LA., Cheng, JC., Danielsson, A., Morcuende, JA. (2008) Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Lancet 371:1527-1537 | Weinstein S, Zavala DC., Ponseti IV. (1983) Idiopathic scoliosis: long-term follow-up and prognosis in untreated patients. . Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am 63:702-712 | Weinstein S (1986) Idiopathic scoliosis. Natural history. . Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 11:780-783 | Weinstein S, Dolan, L, Spratt, K., Peterson, K., Spoonamore, M., and Ponseti, I. (2003) Health and function of patients with untreated idiopathic scoliosis: A 50-year natural history study. JAMA 289:559-567. doi: doi:10.1001/jama.289.5.559 | Asher MA, Burton DC (2006) Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Natural history and long term treatment effects. Scoliosis 1:2-2. doi: 10.1186/1748-7161-1-2
2. McAviney J, Roberts C, Sullivan B, Alevras AJ, Graham PL, Brown BT. The prevalence of adult de novo scoliosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Spine J. 2020 Dec;29(12):2960-2969. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06453-0. Epub 2020 May 22. PMID: 32440771. | Schwab F, Dubey A, Gamez L, El Fegoun AB, Hwang K, Pagala M, Farcy JP (2005) Adult scoliosis: prevalence, SF-36, and nutritional parameters in an elderly volunteer population. Spine 30(9):1082–1085
