| Adult scoliosis is a term used to describe scoliosis | | | | degeneration of the structures of the spine |
| that occurs in those who are over the age of 18 | | | | • Adults who have had an injury or |
| and out of puberty, this type of scoliosis is not as | | | | accident that has damaged the spine |
| common as adolescent scoliosis and is often a | | | | Adult scoliosis oftentimes presents itself first as |
| result of the condition not being diagnosed during | | | | back pain, the longer this condition progresses the |
| childhood. | | | | more apparent the curvature would become. This |
| When your spine is straight and healthy it | | | | pain would be at or below where the curving |
| supports the weight of your head and body and | | | | begins and may be accompanied by nerve |
| allows you to twist bend and remain upright. | | | | compression that would cause pain, weakness, |
| When it is not straight it can lead to limited | | | | numbness or tingling down the leg or legs. This |
| movement in the spine and this could lead to pain, | | | | nerve damage is often what brings a patient into |
| limit your daily activities, and it can make it harder | | | | the doctors office. |
| for you to breathe as your lungs and heart are | | | | Other symptoms of scoliosis are: |
| compressed. | | | | • You may have uneven shoulders or one |
| If you were to look at the spine from the back it | | | | of your shoulders may be more pronounced then |
| should be straight, but for those who suffer from | | | | the other |
| scoliosis, they have spines that look more like an | | | | • Your ribs may protrude out or/and be |
| S or C shape. | | | | at different angles |
| The causes of this condition, and the available | | | | • One hip may appear to be higher than |
| treatments for adults who suffer from scoliosis, | | | | the other one |
| can be very different then what is seen or used | | | | • It may start getting harder for you to |
| in younger patients who are still in the process of | | | | breathe as it becomes difficult for your lungs and |
| growing. | | | | heart to work properly |
| Causes of adult scoliosis may be: | | | | • As your curvature worsens you may |
| • Adults who had this condition as | | | | begin to notice your spine rotate or twist as well |
| adolescent and where operated on but the | | | | as curve side to side in an S pattern or to one |
| surgery as proven to not be successful | | | | side in a C pattern. |
| • Adults who had this condition as | | | | • You may start to look shorter, it is not |
| adolescent and at the time did not require | | | | unknown for patients to gain a few inches after |
| treatment, but now their scoliosis has worsened | | | | spinal straightening surgery is done |
| and is causing them pain | | | | • You may notice a change in the |
| • Adults with a neuromuscular condition | | | | appearance of the skin on your spine such as |
| such as muscular dystrophy | | | | dimples, hairy patches and color changes. |
| • Adults with osteoporosis or | | | | |