• What is scoliosis?
• Idiopathic scoliosis
• Syndromic scoliosis
• Degenerative scoliosis
• Neuromuscular scoliosis
• Congenital scoliosis
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Degenerative scoliosis

Degenerative scoliosis occurs in adults for two main reasons. First, scoliosis may have started when the patient was younger (adolescent idiopathic scoliosis). The second degenerative type of scoliosis starts after age 40 years and is thought to be the result of arthritis or degeneration of the spine, with changes in alignment caused by degeneration of the discs and the facet joints. Degenerative curves may also progress a few degrees per year, particularly if the patient has osteoporosis and a sequential collapse of the vertebrae.

For further information about degenerative scoliosis, such as cause, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, please download our comprehensive advice sheet (PDF 48KB). There are also information sheets on surgery (PDF 55KB), breathing problems (PDF 44KB) and pain management (PDF 51KB). There is also an account of what it is like to have degenerative scoliosis, please go to our personal accounts section.

If you would like to talk further about any aspect of scoliosis, SAUK is here to help; please call our helpline or contact us via post or e-mail.