How Common is Adult Onset Scoliosis and What are My Treatment Options?

A healthy spine gently curves in at your neck, out at your mid-back, and in again at your lower back. It looks similar to an “S” from the side, and from behind, it looks straight.

Scoliosis is a condition that makes your spine develop an abnormal sideways curve to the left, right or both. Up to 9 million Americans have scoliosis, and while it’s typically diagnosed in adolescence, it can also appear much later in life.

Adult onset scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, develops when your spine starts curving due to age-related degeneration. It can cause symptoms ranging from chronic, dull backache to sciatica, an excruciating nerve pain that spreads down your leg.

If you have back pain that’s getting worse as you get older, David A. Wiles, MD, and our team are here to help you find answers. Read on to learn more about adult-onset scoliosis and find a treatment plan that fits your needs.

Understanding adult onset scoliosis

Most of the time, scoliosis is diagnosed between the ages of 10-15. It can be caused by conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, but most of the time, the cause of childhood scoliosis is unknown.

Adult onset scoliosis, on the other hand, typically has a clear cause. Your spine is made of vertebral bones stacked with soft spinal discs between them. Each vertebra forms a joint with the bones above and below it, and connects to the discs above and below it, too.

As you age, the bones, discs, and other structures in your spine start to break down. Bones can get more fragile, discs become dry and brittle, and it’s not unusual for these changes to cause spinal curvature, like scoliosis.

Some of the most common causes of adult-onset scoliosis are:

• Arthritis
• Compression fractures
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoporosis

The severity of scoliosis can vary significantly from person to person, and it becomes more common with older age. Around 10% of adults have degenerative scoliosis in their 40s, and about 60% of adults over age 60 have degenerative scoliosis.

Your scoliosis treatment options

If your scoliosis isn’t causing pain or other symptoms, you might not need treatment. If you have back pain, nerve pain, or you have trouble standing upright, scoliosis treatment can help improve your quality of life.

Dr. Wiles diagnoses your condition with a comprehensive exam. He reviews your symptoms and your medical history, and he may order X-rays to get a closer look at your spine. Then, he prescribes treatment.

Conservative care for degenerative scoliosis

Many people find that nonsurgical treatment relieves their scoliosis pain. Dr. Wiles may recommend pain medication, physical therapy, exercise, stretching, or spinal injections. These treatments can reduce scoliosis pain and help slow degeneration.

Surgery for degenerative scoliosis

In more severe cases, surgery might be necessary. Dr. Wiles specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery to correct spinal misalignments. Surgery comes with certain risks, so it’s important to weigh your options before undergoing an invasive procedure.

Back pain isn’t normal, no matter your age. Learn more about adult-onset scoliosis and start your journey to less pain with Dr. Wiles. Call our Chattanooga, Tennessee, office at 423-459-9800 or request an appointment online today.