Scoliosis is a chronic condition in which your spine is more curved in places than what’s typical. Mild scoliosis affects about 3% of the population, and it often doesn’t include any noticeable symptoms other than the atypical spinal curvature. However, some people with scoliosis may have symptoms such as an uneven posture, pain in their back or shoulders, and weakness in their back or legs.
No spine is perfectly straight, but people with scoliosis have more significant curvature than people without scoliosis, often more than 10 degrees out of alignment. These curves are called S-curves or C-curves, depending on their shape.
Many people with mild scoliosis have no symptoms aside from this visible spinal curve, but some may have an uneven posture that’s noticeable in several other ways.
Symptoms of atypical posture with scoliosis can include:
- A shoulder or hip that’s higher than the other
- A shoulder blade that sticks out more on one side
- One side of the rib cage is higher than the other
- The head that doesn’t appear centered over your spine
- A body that appears to be leaning to one side
- Difference in the lengths of your legs
A healthcare provider may notice these symptoms during a physical exam, either while you are standing up straight or while you are bent forward with your back rounded as though you were trying to touch your toes.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Health
Scoliosis can make it uncomfortable to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Some people with scoliosis experience pain in their back, legs, or shoulders. In fact, about 25% of children with scoliosis report back pain, which can include lower back pain and pain down the legs. You may also have chest pain, if your rib cage is affected by the curvature of your spine.
A particular type of scoliosis, called degenerative scoliosis, affects older adults. Many people with degenerative scoliosis report pain, including back pain, leg pain, muscle fatigue, and nerve pain or sensitivity.
Although posture abnormalities and back pain are the most common symptoms of scoliosis, other, rarer symptoms can also occur, especially if your scoliosis is more moderate or severe. For instance, some people with more advanced forms of scoliosis have breathing difficulties because their spinal curvature compresses or changes the size of their chest. This is called thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS).
Other symptoms may also be more likely if another health condition is causing your scoliosis. These include:
- Congenital scoliosis: Some people are born with scoliosis because of defects in how their spine formed while in the womb. Children born with congenital scoliosis may also have problems with how some of their organs function, including their kidneys, heart, and intestines.
- Neuromuscular conditions: Conditions that affect the nerves and muscles, like cerebral palsy and spina bifida, can cause scoliosis. Symptoms may include poor balance, discomfort when sitting, and TIS.
- Neurofibromatosis: This is a genetic disorder that causes neurofibromas, a type of benign (noncancerous) tumor that can cause scoliosis when they’re on your spine. Spinal neurofibromas can put pressure on your spinal cord, causing neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, or paralysis. It can also affect your bowel and bladder control.
- Genetic syndromes: Genetic connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause scoliosis. In addition to typical scoliosis symptoms, these syndromes can cause excessive flexibility in joints or abnormally long limbs.
Scoliosis is typically not an emergency medical situation. However, you should still make an appointment with a healthcare provider if you suspect you or your child may have scoliosis.
If you notice any physical symptoms of scoliosis, like uneven posture, back pain, weakness, poor coordination, or balance, seeking medical care is a good idea. Your provider can evaluate your case, help treat your spine’s curvature, help relieve symptoms like pain, or refer you to a specialist, if needed.
Scoliosis is the medical term for an atypically curved spine. Everyone’s spine curves somewhat, but people with scoliosis have one or two significant curves that are 10 degrees or more out of alignment.
In most cases, scoliosis is mild, occurs in adolescence during puberty, and has no clear cause or symptoms. In other cases, you may experience physical symptoms such as uneven posture, back pain, poor coordination or balance, and breathing difficulties (in severe cases). Your symptoms may also depend on whether an underlying cause led to scoliosis.
