Scoliosis and Age
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that can affect people of any age, including children and adults. It is most often diagnosed during the adolescent growth spurt, but it can get worse or stay the same as a person ages. In some cases, scoliosis can even become more severe with age.
Idiopathic Scoliosis
The most common type of scoliosis is known as idiopathic scoliosis. This type of scoliosis is usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, and it is the type of scoliosis that is most likely to worsen with age. Idiopathic scoliosis is caused by unknown factors and can progress slowly over time. In some cases, the curvature of the spine can become more severe as a person ages.
Degenerative Scoliosis
Degenerative scoliosis is a type of scoliosis that occurs in adults. This type of scoliosis is caused by age-related changes in the spine, such as degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis. Unlike idiopathic scoliosis, degenerative scoliosis is not likely to get worse over time. In fact, some studies have suggested that it can improve with age as the spine adapts to the changes.
Treatment for Scoliosis
The treatment for scoliosis depends on the type of scoliosis and the severity of the curvature. For mild cases of idiopathic scoliosis, a doctor may recommend a brace or physical therapy to help slow the progression of the condition. For more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to correct the curvature of the spine. Regardless of the type of treatment, it is important to monitor the condition regularly to ensure that it is not getting worse.