I am 16 years old and having 3 degree scoliosis. Will it stop progressing when I grow further?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 16-year-old. I just recently discovered that I have scoliosis. I do not know much about it but I will tell you what I know. My scoliosis currently has only a 3-degree curve and I am pretty confident it is a C-shaped curve, although I am not sure. What do you think are the chances that my scoliosis will develop into adulthood? Do you think it will stop progressing once I am fully grown?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Before going into the progress of scoliosis, I would like to make you some clarity about the facts on it.

1) The Cobb angle is a measure of the curvature of the spine in degrees. This helps to determine what type of treatment is necessary. A Cobb angle of 10 degrees is regarded as a minimum angulation to define scoliosis.

2) A scoliosis curve of 10 to 15 degrees normally does not require any treatment except for regular check-ups.

3) If the scoliosis curve is 20 to 40 degrees, the orthopedic doctor will prescribe a back brace help to keep the spine from developing more of a curve.

4) More than 45 degrees need correction surgery keeping many pedicle screw and osteotomy to correct the curve.

I hope you go for X-ray done of your spine and it will be easy to measure properly about the curvature.