What are the symptoms of scoliosis in adults?

In adults, scoliosis causes symptoms like these:

• Uneven shoulders and/or hips.
• Bump in the lower back.
• Numbness, weakness, or pain in the legs.
• Trouble walking.
• Trouble standing up straight.
• Tired feeling.
• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of height.

How fast does scoliosis progress in adults?

Dr. O’Neill: It has been shown that idiopathic curves (those that start in youth) that are greater than about 45-degrees in magnitude can continue to worsen during adulthood. Generally, if worsening does occur, the progression occurs at about 1 to 2 degrees per year.

How serious is scoliosis in adults?

Curves may be as mild as 10 degrees, or as severe as 100 degrees or more. Most cases of scoliosis are mild and don’t need treatment. In adults, the degree of the spinal curve may or may not determine treatment.

What is the life expectancy of someone with scoliosis?

Living with scoliosis Most people with scoliosis are able to live normal lives and can do most activities, including exercise and sports. The condition does not usually cause significant pain or any other health problems, and tends to stay the same after you stop growing – see a GP if it gets any worse.

Can you become paralyzed from scoliosis?

Rarely does adult scoliosis alone cause paralysis or other severe neurologic problems, but it can be associated with lumbar stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal or tube where the nerves lay), which can result in nerve irritation, leg pain and possibly weakness.

Does scoliosis get worse as you age?

Scoliosis is a progressive condition – it does tend to get worse as you age. However, scoliosis is somewhat unusual in that it does not have what we might call a “predictable trajectory” – this is to say that you cannot simply assume that after X years, scoliosis will have increased by X degrees.