TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Next Prev
Diseases » Scoliosis » Causes
 

Causes of Scoliosis

Contents
  1. Scoliosis: Introduction
  2. List of Causes
  3. Causes Discussion
  4. Hidden causes
  5. Risk factors
  6. Excerpts from book chapters
  7. Complication causes
  8. Causes of symptoms
  9. Related cause information

List of causes of Scoliosis

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Scoliosis) that could possibly cause Scoliosis includes:

More causes: see full list of causes for Scoliosis

Causes of Scoliosis (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Scoliosis that are listed by the Diseases Database:

Source: Diseases Database

Scoliosis Causes: Book Excerpts

Scoliosis as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Scoliosis as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Scoliosis. Our database lists the following as having Scoliosis as a complication of that condition:

Scoliosis as a symptom:

Conditions listing Scoliosis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Scoliosis. Our database lists the following as having Scoliosis as a symptom of that condition:

What causes Scoliosis?

Causes: Scoliosis: In 80 to 85 percent of people, the cause of scoliosis is unknown; this is called idiopathic scoliosis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers about Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents: NIAMS)

Related information on causes of Scoliosis:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Scoliosis may be found in:

Causes of Scoliosis: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Scoliosis.

Scoliosis & Kyphosis: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

Scoliosis

  • Idiopathic (75–80% of cases) scoliosis usually occurs in otherwise healthy patients; pain and neurologic deficits are rare; right thoracic curve is most common, then double curve (right thoracic and left lumbar); named by convex side
    –Infantile (birth to 3 years): Rare in the U.S.
    –Juvenile (4–10 years): Uncommon
    –Adolescent (11 years to skeletal maturity): Occurs mostly in females
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis
    –Common with paralytic disorders
    –More severe, almost always progressive
    • Congenital scoliosis
      –Failure of formation or segmentation

    Kyphosis
  • Postural roundback
    • Scheuermann's disease
      –Second most common pediatric spinal deformity
      –Cannot voluntarily correct
      –Angulation in mid- to low-thoracic spine
    • Congenital kyphosis
      Less common etiologies (“zebras”)
    • Post-thoracotomy
    • Marfan's syndrome
    • Neurofibromatosis
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diastrophic dwarfism
    • Specific neuromuscular disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, syringomyelia, polio, muscular dystrophy, cord tumor/trauma)

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Scoliosis: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

    • Idiopathic scoliosis
      –Lateral deviation or curvature of either the thoracic or lumbar spine greater than 10°
      –Right thoracic curves are most common
      –Usually presents in early adolescence
      –Girls > boys
  • Risk factors for progression
    –Curve >20°
    –Age less than 12
    –Skeletal maturity, Risser stage 0–1
    • Infantile idiopathic scoliosis
      –Presents at 0–3 years old
      –Left thoracic curve more common
      –Boys > girls
      –85% spontaneously resolve
      –Must rule out spinal cord disease or congenital cause of scoliosis
  • Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis presents at 3–10 years old and is similar to adolescent (idiopathic) scoliosis
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis
    –Related to cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, myotonic myopathy, and spinal muscular atrophy
    –Tends to progress more rapidly and even continues after maturity, as compared to idiopathic scoliosis
    –Pulmonary complications seen with severe curves >90°
    • Congenital scoliosis
      –Failure of formation or segmentation of spinal vertebra
      –Rapid progression and worse prognosis is associated with unilateral unsegmented bar with contralateral hemivertebra
  • Other causes
    –Tumor, infection, neurofibromatosis, metabolic bone disorders, and Marfan syndrome

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Scoliosis: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Scoliosis may be functional, structural, or idiopathic. Functional (postural) scoliosis usually results from a discrepancy in leg lengths rather than from a fixed deformity of the spinal column; it corrects when the patient bends toward the convex side. Structural scoliosis results from a deformity of the vertebral bodies, and it doesn’t correct when the patient bends to the side. Structural scoliosis may be:

❑ congenital: usually related to a congenital defect, such as wedge vertebrae, fused ribs or vertebrae, or hemivertebrae; may result from trauma to zygote or embryo

❑ paralytic or musculoskeletal: develops several months after asymmetrical paralysis of the trunk muscles due to polio, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy

❑ idiopathic (the most common form): may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant or multifactorial trait. This form appears in a previously straight spine during the growing years. Brain stem dysfunction, possibly due to a lesion of the posterior columns or the inner ear, may be the cause.

Idiopathic scoliosis can be classified as infantile, which affects mostly male infants between birth and age 3 and causes left thoracic and right lumbar curves; juvenile, which affects both sexes between ages 4 and 10 and causes varying types of curvature; or adolescent, which generally affects girls between age 10 and achievement of skeletal maturity and causes varying types of curvature.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Scoliosis: Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)

Scoliosis may be functional or structural. Functional (postural) scoliosis usually results from poor posture or a discrepancy in leg lengths, not fixed deformity of the spinal column. In structural scoliosis, curvature results from a deformity of the vertebral bodies.

Structural scoliosis may be one of three types:

❑ Congenital scoliosis is usually related to a congenital defect, such as wedge vertebrae, fused ribs or vertebrae, or hemivertebrae.

❑ Paralytic or musculoskeletal scoliosis develops several months after asymmetrical paralysis of the trunk muscles from polio, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy.

❑ Idiopathic scoliosis (the most common form) may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant or multifactoral trait. This form appears in a previously straight spine during the growing years.

Idiopathic scoliosis can be classified as infantile, which affects mostly male infants between birth and age 3 and causes left thoracic and right lumbar curves; juvenile, which affects both sexes between ages 4 and 10 and causes varying types of curvature; or adolescent, which generally affects girls between age 10 and achievement of skeletal maturity and causes varying types of curvature.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003


 » Next page: Risk Factors for Scoliosis

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

Tools & Services:

Medical Articles:

Forums & Message Boards
 
HONcode We subscribe to the HONcode principles

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.

Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise

Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved.