Scoliosis affects the body in a myriad of ways, but what’s important to understand is that it doesn’t always have to. With early detection and a proactive customized treatment plan, scoliosis can be highly treatable, and many potential effects can be minimized and/or avoided completely.

Primary scoliosis symptoms include postural changes, mobility changes, and pain for adults. While organ involvement isn’t a common effect of mild and moderate cases, severe scoliosis, and/or scoliosis that’s left untreated, can develop complications that involve the lungs, the heart, and digestive organs.

Let’s discuss which organs are most likely to be affected by scoliosis.

Scoliosis and Organ Involvement

As an unnatural lateral spinal curve that rotates, scoliosis mainly affects the spine, but due to the many key roles the spine plays in overall health and mobility, spinal conditions can affect the body in a number of ways.

When it comes to organs most likely to be affected by scoliosis, this would include the lungs and heart; however, organ involvement isn’t considered a common effect, particularly in mild cases and/or patients undergoing proactive treatment (1, 2).

Because scoliosis is progressive, its effects can change over time, becoming more overt and disruptive, and the more severe a case and/or the longer it’s left untreated, the more likely it is to affect important organs (3).

The most commonly affected organ system is the cardiopulmonary system, but this is mainly associated with severe scoliosis, and in many cases, progressing from mild to moderate and moderate to severe is preventable (3, 4).

Scoliosis and the Cardiopulmonary System

So how does scoliosis affect the organs? Organ involvement is most likely in cases of severe scoliosis that develop in the thoracic spine (middle/upper back) (3).

The thoracic spine is the largest spinal section and the only section that attaches to the rib cage; the main roles of the rib cage include protecting the heart and lungs, facilitating respiratory function, muscle attachment, and structural support.

The thoracic cavity contains the lungs, the heart, and other important organs, and the rib cage forms a protective bony cage for the organs within.

Respiratory Function

The rib cage plays an essential role in respiratory function through its movement and changing the shape of the thoracic cavity. Movement of the rib cage is controlled by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that expand the thoracic cavity during inhalation and decrease its size during exhalation (1).

The ribs’ movement and flexibility supports lung inflation, so changes to the rib cage can affect the lung function.

Lung impairment isn’t a common effect of scoliosis and is most-closely associated with severe and/or atypical types, and even in severe cases, changes to lung function aren’t always overt, and are most likely to be noticed by patients who place higher-than-average demands on their respiratory systems, like athletes (1).

If the thoracic spine that attaches to the rib cage pulls the rib cage unnaturally, causing one side of the rib cage to protrude excessively (a rib cage arch), this can affect the space within the thoracic cavity and potentially impact the lungs (1).

If there is not as much space for the lungs to inhale and exhale deeply, changes to the rib cage’s position can interfere with the lungs’ ability to function optimally (1).

Cardiac Function

For similar reasons, the heart can also be affected by scoliosis and a loss of space within the thoracic cavity (2, 4).

If the heart is being exposed to compression, it can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood, and this can lead to issues such as pulmonary hypertension (2, 4).

Over time, the heart’s structure can also be affected, potentially leading to reduced cardiac output and mitral valve prolapse (2, 4).

When severe, the spine’s unnatural bend and rotation can disrupt the natural position of the rib cage, pushing it against the lungs and heart, and the more the heart is affected, the more potential there is for complications and, while rare, heart failure (4).

In addition to the lungs and heart, the rib cage also protects organs involved in digestion.

Digestive System

The main organs involved in digestion include the gastrointestinal tract and several organs that assist with the breaking down of food: the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, the rectum, and anus.

Together, the GI tract organs form a hollow tube through which food can pass, and additional organs such as the salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder aid in digestion by producing and storing a number of digestive enzymes and juices.

Scoliosis, when severe, can impact the digestive system through compression of digestive organs and nerves (6).

A large unnatural spinal curve can shorten the torso and compress organs in the abdomen (stomach, intestines, accessory digestive organs). Related digestive issues can include nausea, acid reflux, feeling bloated after eating small amounts, and disruptions to nutrient absorption (6).

Not only can scoliosis squeeze the stomach and intestines, it can also interfere with nerve signals that support a healthy digestive system (6).

While not everyone with scoliosis will experience organ issues, scoliosis severity is a primary factor, hence the benefit of a proactive treatment plan that works towards counteracting the progressive nature of scoliosis.

Conclusion

Scoliosis can cause back pain, nerve pain, and postural changes, and compression increases once growth stops.

While noticeable organ issues aren’t considered a primary symptom of scoliosis, the effects of scoliosis can increase alongside progression, which also increases the complexity of treatment, so early detection and intervention can mean starting treatment before scoliosis becomes moderate and/or severe.

The effects of mild scoliosis can be subtle, and organ issues aren’t commonly associated with mild cases, but if scoliosis progresses with time, growth, and/or bone degeneration, the potential for organ issues increase, including cardiopulmonary and digestive issues.

Severe thoracic scoliosis can affect the organs through compression and disrupting nerve function. It can alter the structure of the thoracic cage, causing the ribs to press against organs and nerves, disrupting their health and function.

If the lungs don’t have as much space to function within, severe scoliosis patients may experience trouble breathing, and if the heart is being compressed, its ability to pump blood can be affected, causing reduced cardiac output, and digestive issues can include bloating, nausea, acid reflux, reduced nutrient absorption, and bowel issues.

References:

1. Johari J, Sharifudin MA, Ab Rahman A, Omar AS, Abdullah AT, Nor S, Lam WC, Yusof MI. Relationship between pulmonary function and degree of spinal deformity, location of apical vertebrae and age among adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. Singapore Med J. 2016 Jan;57(1):33-8. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2016009. PMID: 26831315; PMCID: PMC4728701
2. Xiao J, Li T, Wang Y, Zhao Z, Xie J, Zhou J. Effects of severe scoliosis on cardiac structure and function in resting patients: a retrospective study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Jul 19;20(1):681. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-06113-3. PMID: 40684229; PMCID: PMC12276671
3. Lenz, M., Oikonomidis, S., Harland, A. et al. Scoliosis and Prognosis—a systematic review regarding patient-specific and radiological predictive factors for curve progression. Eur Spine J 30, 1813–1822 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-021-06817-0
4. Huh S, Eun LY, Kim NK, Jung JW, Choi JY, Kim HS. Cardiopulmonary function and scoliosis severity in idiopathic scoliosis children. Korean J Pediatr. 2015 Jun;58(6):218-23. doi: 10.3345/kjp.2015.58.6.218. Epub 2015 Jun 22. PMID: 26213550; PMCID: PMC4510355
5. Negrini, S., Donzelli, S., Aulisa, A. G., Czaprowski, D., Schreiber, S., de Mauroy, J. C., … & Zaina, F. (2018). 2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth. Scoliosis and spinal disorders, 13(1), 3
6. Lee SB, Chae HW, Kwon JW, Sung S, Moon SH, Suk KS, Kim HS, Park SY, Lee BH. Association of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Children (Basel). 2024 Jan 18;11(1):118. doi: 10.3390/children11010118. PMID: 38255431; PMCID: PMC10814149

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