Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is caused by the vertebral bodies rotating on one another. In addition to the cosmetic deformity that results, this rotation can be painful in some cases and result in pinched nerves (radiculopathy) in others. If the curve is small and the patient is not having symptoms, scoliosis is treated with observation in adults and observation or bracing in children. If pain or radiculopathy occur, they are usually treated medically. If curves reach a certain magnitude, then they are deemed "progressive,” and surgical correction is recommended.

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