Adult Scoliosis Specialist in Augusta GA

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Adult Scoliosis Specialist in Augusta GA

Adult scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine in a patient who is skeletally mature (finished growing). The spine can curve to the right or to the left. Scoliosis is a “three-dimensional” curve, meaning that the spine can twist in addition to curving side-to-side. As the vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine) rotate, they may reduce lung function and accelerate degenerative changes in the spine.

Sometimes, adult scoliosis is the result of a childhood curve that was not treated and grew worse. In other cases, though, scoliosis develops in an adult with no history of a childhood curve. That kind of adult scoliosis is called adult degenerative (or de novo) scoliosis. Osteoporosis, disc degeneration, a spinal compression fracture, or a combination of these problems can contribute to the development of adult scoliosis.

What Causes Scoliosis In Adults?

Scoliosis in people over age 40 usually results from age­-related degenerative changes to the spine such as osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, degenerative disk disease, and spinal stenosis. These conditions can cause the spine to lose its structural stability, increasing the risk of spinal curvature.

In other cases, scoliosis is idiopathic, meaning there is no apparent reason for its development. Most people with this type of scoliosis have had the condition since childhood, but in adulthood it has progressed enough to cause symptoms.

What are the Symptoms?

Any of these conditions can cause the spine to curve to the left or the right. This curvature is not only cosmetically unpleasing, it can also cause other problems such as:

• Trunk imbalance, making the patient appear as though listing to one side
• Spinal instability
• Rib prominence on either side
• Humpback
• Irregular gait caused by a discrepancy in leg length
• Pain
• Difficulty sitting or standing
• Spinal rigidity and stiffness
• Nerve damage
• Cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) problems

What Does Scoliosis Look And Feel Like?

Scoliosis in adults manifests itself in a variety of ways, depending on the degree of curvature and the location of the curve on the spine. Some people look as though they are leaning to one side. In others, one side of the rib cage and/or shoulders protrudes more than the other.

Scoliosis in adults typically remains stable over time, but in some cases it progressively worsens. In severe cases, adult scoliosis causes considerable pain and difficulty in standing, sitting, or walking. There may also be some nerve damage or lung problems caused by restriction and pressure by the spine.

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Adult Scoliosis?

As experienced chiropractors in Augusta GA, Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic has had great success with our scoliosis patients, many of whom were told surgery was their next step.  With customized treatments, Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic can tailor your care specifically for your type of scoliosis.  You can read the success story of a scoliosis patients here, where patient Ann suffered from all the symptoms of scoliosis, but Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic  was able to successfully provide customized treatments for her specific type of scoliosis.