Scoliosis is not a disease, but rather it is a term used to describe any abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine. It is a lateral (toward the side) curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine, the curvature may look slight or unnoticed, but in some cases, the curvature is enough to make the sufferer disfigured.

There are many known types of scoliosis, including the following:

Congenital – In the case of a congenital scoliosis sufferer, the curvature is present at birth, and may be caused by an abnormality that can be present even in the womb.

Neuromuscular – This kind of scoliosis is usually seen as a symptom or end-result of people who have abnormal muscle or nerve disorders, such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy. It may also because of medical disorders that can paralyze the sufferers’ body.

Degenerative – Degenerative scoliosis happens when a person has had a major injury or sickness that has caused bone collapse in the spine. I can also be the result of major surgery, or osteoporosis.

Idiopathic scoliosis – While this is the most common form of scoliosis, no one really knows why it happens. One of the few leads so far is that it could be inherited.

TREATMENT

Medication

Painkilling medication is usually recommended to help relieve the pain that can be associated with scoliosis. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are often recommended initially. See your GP if these don't work. They may prescribe stronger painkillers or refer you to a specialist pain management clinic. In some cases, corticosteroids or local anaesthetic may be injected into your back to relieve pain caused by the bones in your spine compressing or irritating nearby nerves. However, these injections only work in the short-term and are mostly useful in helping work out where your pain is coming from.
If it's thought that osteoporosis of your spine is contributing to your symptoms, you may be given medication and supplements to strengthen your bones. Read more about treating osteoporosis .

Exercise

General strengthening and stretching exercises can improve your general posture and flexibility, and may help control any back pain.
Exercises can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the strain on your back. Some people may benefit from physiotherapy , where they are taught specific exercises to carry out.

Bracing

Braces are not often used to treat scoliosis in adults, although they can provide pain relief in some cases.
A brace may be considered as an alternative to surgery if you are not well enough to undergo an operation.

Surgery

Surgery for adults with scoliosis is usually only recommended if the curve in the spine is severe, if it’s getting significantly worse, for back pain related to standing in an abnormal posture, or if the nerves in the spine are being compressed.
There are two types of surgery:
decompression surgery – if a disc or bone is pressing down on a nerve, it can be removed to reduce the pressure on the nerve
spinal fusion surgery – where the position of the spine is improved using metal rods, plates and screws before being fused into place using bone grafts

These are major operations and it can take up to a year or more to fully recover from them. They also carry a risk of potentially serious complications, including:

failure to reduce pain – surgery is generally better at relieving pain that radiates to the legs, rather than back pain
the implants becoming displaced, broken or loose

infection

blood clots

rarely, damage to the nerves in the spine – in severe cases this can result in permanent leg numbness and the loss of bladder or bowel control