Adult Degenerative Scoliosis in Edina, MN

There is an increasing incidence of scoliosis with age.  Some scoliosis in adults is the result of progression from scoliosis that began in childhood, but there are a significant number of adults who develop scoliosis when they never had it in childhood.  This is known as “Adult Degenerative (de novo) Scoliosis”.

As the spine ages and gravity continues to do its work, it is common for degeneration (wear and tear) to occur.  Often disks will become thinner and the spinal bones themselves will change shape and the joints become arthritic. The net result of these changes is that what might begin as a small curve can progress over time and cause significant alterations in normal posture, pain, and even some degree of disability.  These changes occur in adults who never had scoliosis before adulthood.  This is what is meant by “Adult Degenerative Scoliosis”.

• Scoliosis can occur in adults who never had it in childhood.
• Scoliosis progresses with age.
• Adult degenerative scoliosis is the result of progressive spinal degeneration that is common with aging adults.
• This type of scoliosis causes deterioration of posture and is often painful.

It is generally not appreciated that scoliosis can affect adults who never had it in childhood. It is also thought that there is little that can be done to improve or correct this type of scoliosis.  At ScoliTech we specialize in helping adults with degenerative scoliosis.