Scoliosis is a part of life for many people. In general, it affects about six million people in the United States. Statistics show that approximately two percent of all women, and one half of a percent of all men have scoliosis. Women however are eight times more likely than men to require treatment for scoliosis. Signs of scoliosis usually start to appear between ten and fifteen years of age. Over eight percent of all cases are idiopathic, which means that there is no known cause. In other words, it can happen to anyone, whether you are an athlete, a dancer or use a wheelchair.

The most common form of scoliosis is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), which develops around the time of puberty. Back braces are used to treat this type of scoliosis if the curve is between twenty-five and forty degrees. Also, children with AIS use a brace until they are done growing. The main goal of a back brace in AIS children is to stop the progression of the curve. The brace may be a successful treatment, but it no longer becomes an option if the curve reaches fifty degrees. Surgery is then performed in order to prevent and diminish spinal curvature.

There are three other types of scoliosis that occur in teenagers. One is Congenital Scoliosis. It is defined as a curvature of the spine that is the result of malformations of the vertebral elements. This means that the spine starts curving almost right after it is formed. In fact, most of it occurs during the third to sixth week after conception. Because this happens so early on in life, it is said that congenital scoliosis is connected with other defects, including problems with the spinal cord. Bracing is rarely used in this type of scoliosis, for it will probably not stop the progression of the curve. Surgery may have to be performed early on in order to prevent deformity progression.

Another type of scoliosis is Kyphosis (or "hunching over"). Kyphosis occurs in many children. The normal range for it is between twenty and fifty degrees, during which there are little problems. Though when kyphosis is past fifty degrees, it is easy to see and is usually considered abnormal. This is when parents will think that their child has bad posture and is always telling them to stand up straight, even though they cannot. The two most common forms of kyphosis are Scheueremann’s and postural roundback. While most scoliosis cases are found in girls, Scheueremann’s kyphosis is found the most among teenage boys. It is usually characterized by hunching over in the upper spine and may be associated with back pain. Postural roundback is diagnosed when kyphosis is greater than fifty degrees. It may not be noticed beforehand because it can be "corrected" by asking the child to stand up straight. Kyphosis below fifty degrees does not require treatment. However, if it is between fifty and seventy-five degrees, the child may need a brace.

The last type of scoliosis in teenagers is Neuromuscular Scoliosis. This type occurs in children that have any disorder involving the neuromuscular system, most with a weakness in the trunk. The most common disorders of this type of scoliosis include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophies, and spinal cord injuries. As these children grow, their spines become weaker resulting in a long C-type curve. The rate of progression usually becomes worse during times of rapid growth. Bracing in these children may help for a little while, but it generally is not effective at stopping growth of the curve over time. Surgery is usually done in order to prevent curve progression. In most cases, these patients will not need braces or casts after surgery, but it is possible.

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