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Scoliosis means sideways curvature of the spine. In addition, the spine rotates around itself.
When a person's body is viewed from the back, a normal spine looks straight. However, when a spine with scoliosis is viewed from the back, it is curvy. This curvature can be a single curve in one region of the spine or multiple curves in various parts of the spinal column can be present.
In contrast, the spine is not straight when viewed from the side. The spine has its normal sagittal curvatures. A slight gibbosity (kyphosis) in the upper thoracic region, and an inward curvature (lordosis) in the lower back are normally present. Scoliosis may also effect this normal curvates of the lateral plane.
Scoliosis can be seen at all ages. Very young children and elderly adults may be diagnosed with scoliosis. Scoliosis may be due to formation and segmentation anomalies of the bony vertebra or neuromuscular system disorders. Yet, the most common type is idiopathic scoliosis.
Scoliosis is not a separate illness by itself. Rather, it is a sign, such as a "fever". Scoliosis, like a fever, can occur because of various diseases. The most common type of scoliosis is “idiopathic,” which means “of unknown cause.” It is 8 to 10 times more common in girls than boys.