Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Overview  |   Concerns for Teens  |  Conservative Treatment  |  Surgical Correction

What Happens to Teens Who Have Scoliosis?

  For teens with scoliosis, the period of time carrying the greatest risk that the curve will get bigger (curve progression) is during the adolescent growth spurt. For girls, this may be from age 11-14 and usually lasts for 18 months after the first menstrual period. For boys, it is usually between ages 13-17. During this period of rapid growth, the curve can increase up to 1 or 2 degrees per month. It is not uncommon for parents wonder where the curve came from so quickly. Some parents feel guilty for not noticing the curve sooner.

  The nature of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is one of possible rapid progression, and parents should not feel guilty. The likelihood of curve progression depends on the size of the curve in relation to the amount of growth the teen has remaining. For young teens who are still growing and have curves greater than 20 degrees, there is a 68% chance the curve will get larger over the next few years. If a teen’s growth is nearly complete and the curve is around 20 degrees, there is less chance the curve will ever increase. Most small and medium sized curves stop getting bigger once the body is finished growing.

   The spinal curvature will continue to be the same size throughout life that it was when the patient was a teen. If the curve is more than 40-50 degrees during the teen years, it will likely continue to get larger during adulthood, though at a much slower rate.

Overview  |   Concerns for Teens  |  Conservative Treatment  |  Surgical Correction