Can minor scoliosis get worse even after one has stopped growing?
Depends on what type of scoliosis you have. Certain types of scoliosis have a greater chance of getting worse. Functional scoliosis is caused by an abnormality elsewhere in the body. This type of scoliosis is treated by treating that abnormality, there is no direct treatment of the spine because the spine is normal in these cases. Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by an abnormal development of the bones of the spine. These types of scoliosis have the greatest chance for getting worse. Observation and bracing do not normally work well for these patients. The majority of these patients will eventually need surgery to stop the curve from getting worse. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown (idiopathic). In many cases, infantile idiopathic scoliosis will improve without any treatment. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis has the highest risk for getting worse of all of the idiopathic types of scoliosis. Bracing can be tried early if the curve is not very severe. The goal is to prevent
