Adolescent scoliosis is a persistent lateral spinal curve of more than 10 degrees in the upright or standing position. Adolescent scoliosis affects children or adolescents between the age of 9 and young adulthood. The curve causes the spinal column to bend to the left or the right. Adolescents with scoliosis are otherwise healthy, and most are active, despite the curve in the spine.

Up to 4 percent of children between ages 9 and 14 have detectable scoliosis. Girls or young women are at higher risk than boys or young men, with 60 percent to 80 percent of cases occurring in females. Scoliosis may begin to show at the onset of puberty or during an adolescent's growth spurt. Most children with scoliosis do not develop worsening curvature, and treatment usually begins with observation only.

Curve types:

• Double major - Right thoracic and left lumbar curves are equal
• Lumbar - Less visible on physical examination; 70 percent occur on the left side
• Thoracic - A common patterns in scoliosis; 90 percent occur on the right side
• Thoracolumbar - Another common pattern in scoliosis; 80 percent occur on the right side