Scoliosis is a rotational deformity of the spine in both the coronal and sagittal planes (Figure 1). A diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis is made when the coronal plane Cobb angle (see Figure 2 ) is >10 degrees on plain film radiographs and there is no underlying spinal cord pathology, neuromuscular disorder, or congenital malformation present. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed in children between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and represents 80 percent or more of all cases. (Historically, if scoliosis is diagnosed in a patient 4 years of age or younger, it would be designated ‘infantile idiopathic scoliosis’ with the term ‘juvenile idiopathic scoliosis’ referring to patients ages 4-10, but more recently all cases of scoliosis diagnosed before the age of 10 are classified as ‘early onset scoliosis’ [discussed in another chapter.])
Depending on the severity of the curve and age of the patient, scoliosis can be managed with observation, bracing, or surgery. While scoliosis is not generally associated with pain during adolescence, more advanced curves (>40 degrees) can be associated with higher rates of low back pain in adulthood.
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