Scoliosis is a problem that causes your spine to deviate from its ‘normal’ alignment. Scoliosis has been described as more of a physical condition than a diagnosis. Either way it results in a structural deformity. The deformity can have up to four components. The most obvious deformity is lateral curvature. The universal method of measurement of lateral deformity is the “Cobb angle”, which measures the degree of lateral curve created by the scoliosis. Secondly there is rotational deformity. As the spine deviates laterally it usually rotates. This rotation is what causes the “humps” that are evident when you bend forward. Thirdly there is “decompensation”. This relates to the head not being balanced perfectly over the hips. With most scoliosis, there is a tendency to be “decompensated” to the left. I.e. your head is slightly left of the center of your pelvis. Fourth there can be reduced “kyphosis” (hypo-kyphosis) otherwise known as “flat-back”, particularly prevalent with thoracic scoliosis.
Of every 1,000 children, 3 to 5 develop spinal curves that are considered large enough to need treatment. Girls are more likely than boys to have scoliosis.