How common is scoliosis?

About 1 in 100 (1%) of the general population has some type of scoliosis.¹ Fortunately, most cases of scoliosis are mild.

Scoliosis usually starts between the ages of 8 and 10.² Scoliosis that is bad enough to need treatment is most common in girls.³ The prevalence of scoliosis in female athletes may be even higher because they are at increased risk for muscle pain (nonstructural scoliosis) or spinal injury (structural scoliosis).⁴ Girls are seven times more likely than boys to have a significant curve that requires treatment.³

Mild or small curves are more common than moderate or severe curves. For example, about 0.2% of people with scoliosis have a curve of more than 30 degrees, and about 0.1% of people with scoliosis have a curve of more than 40 degrees. About 10% of children who are diagnosed with scoliosis require treatment (either bracing or surgery).⁵

Of those with scoliosis, 30% have family members with the condition.² Children-especially daughters-of women who have scoliosis are at increased risk for having scoliosis.¹

Citations

1. Hu SS, et al. (2006). Scoliosis section of Disorders, diseases and injuries of the spine. In HB Skinner, ed., Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Orthopedics, 4th ed., chap. 5, pp. 255-269. New York: Lange Medical/McGraw-Hill.

2. Eilert RE (2007). Scoliosis section of Orthopedics. In WW Hay Jr et al., eds., Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, 18th ed., chap. 24, pp. 791-792. New York: Lange Medical/McGraw-Hill.

3. Griffin LY, et al. (2005). Scoliosis. In Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 3rd ed., pp. 928-931. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

4. Omey ML, et al. (2000). Idiopathic scoliosis and spondylolysis in the female athlete. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 372: 74-84.

5. Staheli LT (2001). Scoliosis. In Practice of Pediatric Orthopedics, pp.168-175. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.