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Scoliosis angles; does it increase with age?

Scoliosis causes a lot of problems to patients; aesthetic and cosmetic, and/ or functional as pain, respiratory problems, and neuromuscular problems.

  • Scoliosis happens in 20% of adults.
  • That incidence increases to 60% after the age of 60, and 70% after the age of 70.
  • Adolescent scoliosis angle stops deterioration at puberty. Yet sometimes that is not the case.

Scoliosis behavior is variable:

  • Sometimes it does not deteriorate.
  • Sometimes it gets bad fast. 
  • Muscle diseases and weakness make it worse. 
  • If it deteriorates, immediate medical attention is highly recommended.
  • Adolescent scoliosis angle above 30 degrees deteriorates rapidly.
  • Adult scoliosis deteriorates by 0.82 degrees per year in most cases. 
  • The smaller the scoliosis angle, the easier is its management.

Scoliosis management is a long-term process. All aspects of this management program must be discussed with the patient in detail.