Symptoms

Symptoms of Scoliosis

The symptoms of scoliosis may look like other spinal conditions or deformities, or it may be a result of an injury or infection. In addition, people of all ages can have scoliosis and it can run in families.

Physicians classify scoliosis curves as either:

  • Nonstructural: The spine is structured normally, and the curve is temporary.
  • Structural: The spine has a fixed curve, possibly caused by disease, birth defect, infection or injury.

The most common symptoms of scoliosis are:

  • Backache or lower back pain* accompanied by fatigue.
  • The shoulders or hips appear uneven.
  • The spine curves abnormally to one side.
  • The head isn't centered on the rest of the body.
  • When standing straight, the arms don't hang evenly beside the body.
  • When bending forward, the sides of the back appear to be different heights.
*

If you have back pain, leg pain, and changes in bowel and bladder habits, you should seek an immediate medical evaluation by your physician.