Here are six key points:
1. Scoliosis in adults is an abnormal spine curvature, also known as degenerative scoliosis, which is the gradual deterioration of the facet joints, similarly seen in osteoarthritis of the spine. The main difference between degenerative scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the spine is that pressure from the deteriorating facet joints in degenerative scoliosis causes the spine to curve off to one side.
2. The two main categories of adult scoliosis are adult idiopathic scoliosis and adult “De Novo” or degenerative scoliosis. In adult idiopathic scoliosis, the patient developed scoliosis as a child or adolescent, but because there is no known cause for scoliosis, it is idiopathic. “De Novo” is the degeneration of the facet joints, where a person can lose height as the spine curves to one side.
3. Studies regarding adult scoliosis have shown a prevalence as high as 68 percent among seniors, and the risk factors are directly associated with disability.
4. Here are some of the symptoms of degenerative adult scoliosis:
- One shoulder being higher than the other
- One shoulder blade may stick out further and be higher than the other
- Deformities are noticeable when a person is bent over
- Hump on the back due to the chest twisting
- One arm hangs lower than the other
- Back pain that worsens as the condition worsens
- Weakness
- Numbness and lower extremity pain due to pressure on the spine
- Heart and lung complications due to deformities of the chest
5. There are four main causes for adult scoliosis:
- Idiopathic curve: cause is unknown
- Congenital curve: person is born with this type, and although it may not be severe in childhood, it can worsen in adulthood
- Paralytic curve: mainly caused by injury and can lead to paralysis
- Secondary: when scoliosis develops in adulthood but was not present in adolescence
6. Treatments for adult scoliosis include:
- Painkiller medications
- Corticosteroid injections
- Medications to support osteoporosis, if that is the underlying cause
- Exercising
- Wearing a brace
- Decompression surgery by removing discs or bones that are pressing on nerves
- Spinal fusion surgery where metal rods improve the spine
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