Most know that scoliosis involves an abnormal spine curvature, but their knowledge stops there. Unfortunately, they fall for the many myths and misconceptions about scoliosis that lead to unnecessary worry, delayed treatment, or improper care.
Dr. Patrick S. McNulty, our expert spinal surgeon and leading orthopedic specialist at McNulty Spine in Las Vegas, Nevada, is here to set the record straight by dispelling five widespread myths about scoliosis.
Parents often worry that their child’s posture or school bag are the culprits behind scoliosis, but this isn’t true. You can’t prevent scoliosis by avoiding certain activities — it occurs independently of lifestyle factors like posture or physical strain.
Many types of scoliosis, particularly idiopathic scoliosis (which accounts for around 80% of all childhood and adult cases), have no identifiable cause.
Degenerative factors, congenital abnormalities, or neurological conditions also contribute to structural scoliosis.
If you’re a parent, you can watch for early signs of scoliosis in your child. Uneven shoulders, hips, or an asymmetrical chest wall should prompt a visit to Dr. McNulty.
While scoliosis is painful for those with significant curvature or age-related degeneration, not everyone experiences pain.
Milder spinal curves, especially those diagnosed early, may have no symptoms. Many children and teens with idiopathic scoliosis live active, pain-free lives.
For adults, scoliosis-related discomfort is usually linked to other issues, such as arthritis or muscular strain.
If you have scoliosis pain, we have treatments, such as physical therapy, bracing, or surgical intervention, that can help.
Not all spine curvature is considered scoliosis. A slightly curved spine may not necessarily indicate a medical issue — it could simply be a minor postural variation or a condition unrelated to scoliosis.
Dr. McNulty diagnoses scoliosis when a C- or S-shaped lateral curve exceeds 10 degrees, which he measures using X-rays.
It’s easy to mistake other conditions, like kyphosis (which affects your spine’s forward curvature) for scoliosis, but they have distinct characteristics and treatments.
Children and teenagers get scoliosis, and it typically becomes more apparent during growth spurts. However, adults can also develop scoliosis, sometimes without even realizing it. Adult scoliosis is much more common than scoliosis in children and teenagers.
Childhood-onset scoliosis doesn’t necessarily disappear after adolescence. Idiopathic scoliosis, for instance, will persist into adulthood.
Adults can develop degenerative scoliosis due to spine-related wear and tear, which can cause back pain and make it difficult to stand upright, as well as potentially affect the neurologic function of your lower extremities.
Many people mistakenly believe scoliosis automatically necessitates spinal surgery, but that’s far from the truth. Most scoliosis cases, especially mild ones, don’t require surgical intervention. Instead, Dr. McNulty recommends monitoring and noninvasive treatments.
He generally only recommends surgery for severe cases where the spinal curvature exceeds 40 degrees or significantly impairs quality of life.
Spinal fusion surgery or innovative procedures like the FDA-approved Tether System are great options for severe cases. The Tether System, designed for younger patients, corrects spinal curves while preserving motion, offering an alternative to traditional procedures.
However, most patients can manage scoliosis with routine checkups, braces (for younger patients), or physical therapy, depending on the severity of their condition.
If you're concerned about scoliosis — whether for your or someone you know — call McNulty Spine or request an appointment online for an expert diagnosis and individually tailored treatments. he is a member of their prestigious Scoliosis Research Society.
