I’ve heard of scoliosis in kids, but not in older adults. My mother was just diagnosed with this problem. How come it’s developing all of a sudden in a 70-year old woman?

Scoliosis or curvature of the spine is more common in older children and teenagers. For most of them, the condition is referred to as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Idiopathic means there is no known cause for the problem.

In older adults, the degenerative effects of aging on the spine are usually linked with scoliosis. In fact about 87 per cent of adult scoliosis is attributed to degeneration. Only 13 per cent remains idiopathic (unknown cause).

The development of scoliosis in adults over the age of 60 is actually more common than previously thought. According to studies, the incidence in this age group may be as high as 68 per cent. Women are affected much more often than men. And with the continued increase in life expectancy, experts expect to see even more cases of adult scoliosis.

Studies are underway to help patients like your mother. Identifying factors that lead to the development of the problem may make it possible to reduce the risk of age-related scoliosis. Research to find the best treatment approach for each patient is also ongoing.