Degenerative Scoliosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Non-Surgical Treatment

Degenerative Scoliosis in Minnesota: Causes, Symptoms, and Non-Surgical Treatment

Concerned about degenerative scoliosis? Minneapolis Chiropractic Center and Minnesota Scoliosis Treatment Center specializes in treating age-related spine degeneration and pain using Chiropractic Biophysics, ScoliBalance®, and corrective ScoliBrace®.

Adult scoliosis can be pre-existing from adolescence (Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis) or develop later in life with no prior history (Degenerative Scoliosis). Degenerative scoliosis, specifically, is caused by age-related spinal degeneration and instability. As the spine becomes increasingly unbalanced, the body is affected, leading to pain and vulnerability to injury, particularly falls.

Degenerative scoliosis is an unnatural, lateral spinal curve that affects older adults, caused by degenerative changes, most often in the lower back. For those in Minneapolis who develop scoliosis later in life, the condition is almost always progressive and painful, but a proactive, conservative treatment plan at Minneapolis Chiropractic Center and Minnesota Scoliosis can provide significant relief and stability.

The Prevalence of Adult Scoliosis

While much of the focus on scoliosis is often on childhood cases, the condition is highly prevalent in the aging population.

Age Group	Estimated Scoliosis Rate	Type
Children (10-18)	Up to 5% (Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis)	Progresses with growth
Adults over 60	Estimated 35.5%	Progresses with degeneration
Adults (60-90)	Estimated up to 68%	Often Degenerative de novo Scoliosis

Progression in adults is triggered by spinal degeneration, meaning almost all cases of degenerative scoliosis are progressive and require intervention.

Adolescent Scoliosis in Adults (ASA)

Adolescent Scoliosis in Adults is the most common type of adult scoliosis, where the curve originated in youth. Once skeletal maturity is reached, the lengthening motion of growth is replaced by compressive force, causing chronic back and radiating leg pain, which often leads these adults to seek an assessment. These are the most common cases seen at Minneapolis Chiropractic Center and MN Scoliosis.

**Degenerative De Novo Scoliosis: Causes and Development**

Degenerative de novo scoliosis is the next most common type and refers to a new onset of scoliosis that typically develops in middle-aged and older adults, often around age 45, with no prior history. It is almost always painful and progressive.

Key Causes and Risk Factors:

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: The condition most often begins with the intervertebral discs (degenerative disc disease), which provide cushioning, structure, and flexibility. Degeneration of a single disc can disrupt the alignment of adjacent vertebrae, initiating the curve.
Degenerative Instability: As the discs flatten and joints wear down, the spine loses stability, leading to the unnatural curve.
Hormonal Factors: Due to changes in bone density and hormones, post-menopausal females are more frequently diagnosed with degenerative scoliosis.

Early detection of degenerative scoliosis at a clinic like the Minnesota Scoliosis Treatment Center and Minneapolis Chiropractic Center is crucial for preserving existing spinal function and slowing or preventing further degenerative changes.

Recognizing Degenerative Scoliosis Symptoms

Because degenerative scoliosis is caused by instability, it is almost always progressive and painful. The most common symptoms are related to pain and biomechanical changes that disrupt balance and movement.

1. Pain

Pain is the primary reason adults seek treatment:

Lower Back Pain: This is the most common complaint, often chronic and debilitating, resulting from instability. The majority of degenerative cases involve lumbar scoliosis (lower back), which bears the weight of the upper body.
Radiating Leg Pain: Compression of nerves in the lower back can lead to pain radiating down the legs (sciatica).
Spinal Balance: Patients who have a prominent forward lean (positive sagittal balance) due to the curve’s misalignment typically experience significantly more pain.

2. Postural and Movement Changes

The spinal misalignment disrupts the body’s overall symmetry, leading to a loss of balance and increased risk of injury:

Prominent Forward/Lateral Lean: A visible shift forward and/or to one side is common.
Loss of Height: Degenerating discs and vertebral shifting can cause a noticeable loss of standing and/or sitting height.
Disrupted Gait and Balance: Changes in healthy movement patterns and balance are common, placing older adults at a high risk of injury from a fall or accident.

Non-Surgical Degenerative Scoliosis Treatment in Minnesota

For adults experiencing pain and instability, symptom relief must target the underlying cause: the spinal misalignment. Traditional medical treatment often focuses only on symptom relief (pain and anti-inflammatory medications), which provides temporary relief but does not address the progression.

Minneapolis Chiropractic Center and Minnesota Scoliosis Treatment Center offers a proactive, nonsurgical approach designed to improve the spine’s stability and alignment for long-term relief, pain control, and fall prevention.

Recommended Conservative Treatment Options

Chiropractic Biophysics:
- Chiropractic spinal manipulation helps restore range of motion and reduced muscle spasms and pain.
- Mirror Image exercises help strengthen weak muscles to better support the spine.
- Mirror Image spinal traction can help reduce the size of the scoliosis or improve postural imbalances that reduces the risk of further curve progression.
ScoliBalance® Scoliosis-Specific Exercise (PSSE):
- This individualized program, which includes Mirror Image® Exercises, teaches patients postural awareness to actively counteract the curve.
- It restores balance by strengthening and re-training the core muscles that surround the spine, providing a stronger, more balanced support system.
- It’s a crucial tool for stabilizing the curve and restoring functional movement.
Corrective Bracing (ScoliBrace®):
- For adults experiencing excessive movement and instability, the ScoliBrace® can provide short-term pain control and necessary spinal support.
- This 3D corrective brace is customized to align the spine, which can significantly improve balance and stability.

By combining the power of the customized Chiropractic BioPhysics, the ScoliBalance® exercise program, and the supportive ScoliBrace®, our Minneapolis patients can work towards increased stability, postural correction, pain relief, and an improved quality of life. It is never too late to start scoliosis treatment at MN scoliosis and Minneapolis Chiropractic Center.

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