Types of scoliosis
Idiopathic, congenital, neuromuscular, adult and more. What each type means and where curves happen.
Learn about typesScoliosis care for children, teens and adults
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Some curves are mild and only need to be watched. Others grow over time and can affect posture, balance, comfort and daily life. Our specialists look at the whole picture, including your curve, your symptoms, your age and your goals, and build a plan around you.
A scoliosis diagnosis does not automatically mean surgery. Many patients do well with monitoring or nonsurgical care.
What is scoliosis?
Seen from behind, a healthy spine runs fairly straight from the neck down to the pelvis. With scoliosis, it bends to the side, often in a C or S shape, and the bones of the spine can also twist.
Because the spine is three-dimensional, scoliosis can also change the natural front-to-back curves of your back. That is why we look at your whole posture, not just one curve on an X-ray.
Scoliosis can appear in young children, during the teenage growth spurt, or later in adulthood as the spine changes with age.
Find information for your situation
Children and teens
How we check a growing spine, when bracing helps, and what families can expect if surgery is needed.
For parentsAdults
Why scoliosis can appear or worsen later in life, and ways to ease back pain, leg pain and nerve symptoms.
For adultsSurgical options
Fusion, decompression and other procedures explained in plain language, and how your surgeon chooses the right one.
See proceduresTreatment is built around you
Care ranges from simply keeping an eye on a curve to surgery for complex deformity. Most people start at the gentler end, and many never need an operation.
Monitoring
Regular visits and X-rays to see whether a small or stable curve is changing.
Therapy and exercise
Physical therapy or scoliosis-specific exercises to build strength, flexibility and posture.
Bracing
For growing children with certain curves, a brace can help keep the curve from getting worse.
Pain relief
For adults: medications, targeted injections and activity changes to ease symptoms.
Surgery
When a curve is large, keeps growing, or causes pain or nerve problems that other care has not helped.
What we look at when planning your care
Every curve is different, and an X-ray alone does not decide treatment.
For children, protecting healthy growth is a priority. For adults, the focus is often easing pain and nerve symptoms and making it easier to stand, walk and get through the day.
- Your age and how much growing is left
- Whether the curve is getting bigger
- Back or leg pain
- Bone strength
- Your overall health
- The type, size and location of the curve
- The overall balance of your spine and pelvis
- Numbness, tingling or weakness
- Any past spine surgery
- Your activities and what matters most to you
Scoliosis care at University Spine Center
Treating scoliosis means more than measuring a curve. We look at how your head, spine, pelvis and legs work together to keep you upright and comfortable, then choose the treatment that fits your symptoms and long-term goals.
Whole-body alignment
Standing X-rays and exams that look at your entire posture and balance, not just one curve.
Advanced imaging
Detailed imaging before and during surgery to plan and guide each step.
Nerve monitoring
During deformity surgery, your spinal cord and nerves are watched continuously to help keep them safe.
Navigation and robotics
Technology that helps surgeons place implants precisely in selected procedures.
Minimally invasive options
Smaller incisions when appropriate, to help support a smoother recovery.
Rehab and follow-up
A personal recovery plan that takes you from the hospital back to everyday life.
Common questions
Does scoliosis always need surgery?
No. Many people are treated with monitoring, therapy, bracing, medication or injections. Surgery is considered when a curve is large, keeps getting worse, or causes symptoms that other care has not helped.
Will surgery make my spine perfectly straight?
Usually not, and that is not the goal. Surgeons aim for a safe, balanced correction that relieves symptoms and keeps as much healthy motion as possible.
Can adults get scoliosis?
Yes. Some adults have a curve from childhood that slowly worsens. Others develop one as the discs and joints of the spine wear with age.
Do I need a referral?
In most cases, no. Some insurance plans do require one, so check with your plan or call our office to confirm.