Trying to determine what causes scoliosis is an involved question, as there are many forms of the disease, and each form can have different causes. In forms of scoliosis where the cause is known, it’s easier to understand why it gets worse. Common causes that doctors may identify include: cerebral palsy, a group of nervous system disorders that affect movement, learning, hearing… This may have you wondering what exactly causes it and what risk factors are involved. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Around 80 percent of scoliosis cases are unknown. The cause of scoliosis is often not identified. Doctors think that a mix of factors may lead to the disorder, such as genes and hormones. Roughly 8 out of 10 cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning there is no clear cause for the patient’s spinal curvature.Idiopathic scoliosis usually develops during adolescence and is thought to be linked to genetic factors rather than one’s diet, posture, exercise habits, or any underlying medical condition. Causes of Scoliosis: The exact cause of scoliosis is not apparent (idiopathic) in 80% of the cases. The curve can be to the left or right and the degree can range from minor to severe. ", "Preventing Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in Youth: A Guide for Parents. The many causes of scoliosis include neuromuscular problems and inherited diseases or conditions caused by the environment. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. In as many as 80% of cases, doctors don’t find the exact reason for a curved spine. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, See our safety precautions in response to COVID-19, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, Mayo Clinic Q and A: Scoliosis most often develops during growth spurt just before puberty, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special -  40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online. This type of scoliosis is known as idiopathic scoliosis and is most common in adolescent girls. Scoliosis can cause … The causes of scoliosis are not fully understood. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Clinical features, evaluation and diagnosis. This is less common. Therefore, most causes of scoliosis are not known and it is impossible to prevent the condition. Idiopathic scoliosis is a bit of a medical mystery. Idiopathic scoliosis is of three types: However, researchers have found there is a family history of the condition in some idiopathic cases, which suggests a possible genetic link. When these problems are treated, the scoliosis often goes away. Scoliosis may cause the head to appear off center, leaning to one side or notice one hip or shoulder to be higher than the opposite side. Doctors don't know what causes the most common type of scoliosis — although it appears to involve hereditary factors, because the disorder tends to run in families. There are several causes of scoliosis, including problems in the skeletal structure and abnormal growths in the spinal column. Your doctor might also do an MRI to rule out things like a tumor that could cause your spine to curve. Adult scoliosis may be a case of pediatric scoliosis that was undiscovered until adulthood. Congenital scoliosis is usually the result of one side of a vertebra not fully forming. In most cases, there is no known cause of scoliosis. Not every case of scoliosis can be definitely traced to a known origin. When viewed from the side, the spine should show a mild roundness in the upper back and shows a degree of swayback (inward curvature) in the lower back. What Causes Scoliosis? About 3% of adolescents have scoliosis. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/introduction-to-scoliosis. If your back looks curved, they'll likely do an X-ray to see whether it's scoliosis. Accessed May 3, 2019. While some cases are caused by congenital structural abnormalities or neurological or muscular diseases, the vast majority—around 85%—are of unknown cause. In most cases, doctors don’t know why scoliosis happens in children. Because there are different types of scoliosis, there are different causes. The abnormal curves of the spine are defined according to their cause: Nonstructural scoliosis. Scoliosis can also cause misalignment in the bones of the body and chronic pain in the back. Shands AR. Some children grow out of scoliosis. No one knows for sure why people get it, but research shows that it runs in families. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Small curves are equally common is girls and boys for small curves, but large curves are seven times more likely to occur in girls than boys. Babies can also be born with the condition. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that most frequently presents itself during adolescence. Some cases may only become noticable in later life. Scoliosis is an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine away from the midline. For mild scoliosis, you may not need treatment. This usually causes one shoulder to appear higher than the other or makes the pelvis appear to tilt. It's in your genes. The cause of adult scoliosis varies depending on the type of scoliosis. Others may need surgery to keep the scoliosis from worsening and to straighten severe cases of scoliosis. Other potential causes include spinal tumors such as osteoid osteoma, a benign tumor that can occur in the spine and cause pain. Congenital scoliosis begins as a baby’s back develops before birth. Though this may not be the cause of most scoliosis, it could certainly explain a small percentage and is an example of how copper and spinal conditions can be connected. Scoliosis in children and adolescents. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. If you have scoliosis, you might lean a little when you stand. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly. There are different types of scoliosis and different reasons that might cause your spine to curve. Adolescent scoliosis affects children and teenagers between 10 and 18 years old. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to stick out farther than on the other side. In cases of neuromuscular scoliosis… Here’s a closer look at five causes of scoliosis. Scoliosis rarely causes significant pain; therefore, severe pain should prompt evaluation for other possible etiologies. The cause of scoliosis often can’t be determined. Scoliosis … Scoliosis : Scoliosis is the postural adaptation of the spine in lateral direction. … Adult scoliosis may be a case of pediatric … What Causes Scoliosis in Children? Or it may be a hereditary condition that runs in families. Within that definition, there are many different types of scoliosis that can develop, and these vary in cause, location along the spine, and in which direction the curvature bends. There is always a cause before you experience the effect. Doctors may spot this rare condition when the child is born. Scoliosis may be one of the many signs and symptoms that accompany cerebral palsy. In structural scoliosis, the curve of the spine is rigid and can’t be reversed. Children who have mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. This is called idiopathic scoliosis or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis … In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is not known. Is there a test for scoliosis? In most cases, mild scoliosis … What Causes Idiopathic Scoliosis? Viewed from behind though, the spine should appear as a straight line from the base of the neck to the tailbone. Scoliosis is a spine condition that occurs when the spine curves or twists to the side. This type of scoliosis is known as idiopathic scoliosis and is most common in adolescent girls. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Degenerative scoliosis affects adults. The most common form of adult scoliosis is degenerative (spine curves as you age). Types of scoliosis. Lumbar scoliosis can make one hip look taller than the other or one leg look longer than the other. The most … Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of scoliosis seen in children. Scherl SA. 1941;23:963. Accessed May 3, 2019. Scoliosis is another curvature of the spine, but this type of curve is abnormal. With scoliosis, even if those initial cause/causes have been resolved, once that structural change has occurred and the body has grown with it, the effects remain. Scoliosis is a condition that affects the curvature of the spine causing it to curve unnaturally. Shaughnessy WJ (expert opinion). Idiopathic scoliosis in children is primarily a neuro-hormonal condition, rooted in genetic predisposition, that causes the development of a spinal curvature as the primary symptom… This can occur with arthritis or osteoporosis. Patients with neurologic deficits or findings such as genes and hormones what causes scoliosis the many signs and that. 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