Scoliosis

Summary

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine has an irregular curve in the coronal plane, associated with a rotational component. The curve is usually S- or C-shaped over three dimensions. In some cases, the degree of curvature remains stable, while in others it increases over time. Mild scoliosis does not typically cause problems, but more severe cases can affect breathing and movement. Pain is usually present in adults and can worsen with age. As the condition progresses, it may affect a person's quality of life and, in some cases, may be considered a disability. It can be compared to kyphosis and lordosis, other abnormal curvatures of the spine which are in the sagittal plane (front-back) rather than the coronal (left-right).