Degenerative Scoliosis | Baylor Scott & White Health

Degenerative scoliosis risk factors

Any adult can develop degenerative scoliosis, but certain factors can increase your risk. Risk factors include:

Advanced age: Adult degenerative scoliosis most often affects people over 65, when wear and tear damages the spine.
Facet joint arthritis: This type of arthritis affects the joints that connect the vertebrae. Arthritis can lead to disc degeneration that may cause degenerative scoliosis.
Lifestyle habits: Poor posture, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle can weaken the spine and lead to excess wear and tear.
Obesity: Carrying excess weight can put extra pressure on the spine, sometimes leading to scoliosis.
Sex: Women are more likely than men to develop degenerative scoliosis.

Diagnosing degenerative scoliosis

If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain or other symptoms that could be related to scoliosis, your doctor may refer you to a spine specialist for diagnosis and treatment. The specialist can use multiple tools to determine a diagnosis, starting with a thorough medical exam.

Medical history and exam

At your appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, overall health, lifestyle and personal and family medical history.

After gathering this information, your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess your spine and determine what’s causing your discomfort. You may be asked to stand up straight, bend over, sit down and bend to the side. Your doctor will watch your spine, shoulders and hips, looking for signs of an abnormal curve.

Degenerative scoliosis treatment

Treatment for degenerative scoliosis differs from how other types of scoliosis are treated in children and teens. Their bodies are still developing, so doctors typically adapt treatments based on their age and how much growing they have left to do.

An adult’s skeleton is fully mature, so bracing, a treatment commonly used for children, isn’t as effective in treating adult degenerative scoliosis. Instead, a spine specialist may recommend other treatments, including lifestyle changes, medications and surgery.

Lifestyle changes

Small tweaks to your lifestyle habits and routines may help alleviate mild back discomfort and other symptoms. Your provider may suggest:

Exercising regularly with low-impact activities
Improving your posture when sitting and standing
Performing exercises to strengthen your core muscles
Stretching to improve flexibility
Quitting smoking, which can damage the bones, decrease bone density and increase the risk of fracture
Working with a physical therapist

Find specialized care for degenerative scoliosis

At Baylor Scott & White, we help you get care at a location that fits your needs when it comes to the care and treatment of orthopedic conditions, such as degenerative scoliosis, in North and Central Texas. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or require ongoing support, our teams are here to help you.

Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center

4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093

Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center

4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093

Degenerative scoliosis risk factors

Diagnosing degenerative scoliosis

Medical history and exam

Imaging tests

Degenerative scoliosis treatment

Lifestyle changes

Medication

Surgery

Find specialized care for degenerative scoliosis

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