Does Scoliosis Hurt?
Children and adolescents who have scoliosis rarely complain of pain. If pain is the major complaint in a young patient with scoliosis, further analysis is needed beyond plain x-rays to establish an underlying cause of the curvature. For example, in rare instances a benign inflammatory focus of tissue (osteoid osteoma) can produce curvature of the spine. The adult population diagnosed with scoliosis often seeks treatment because of pain. As one ages, the spine becomes less flexible and undergoes changes which reduce water content in the disks and produce inflammation in the joints.
