The Facts
Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. The spine bends
to one side or the other, causing compression of one side of the body. Also,
the ribs on one side will be closer together while the ribs of the other side
will be farther apart. Scoliosis also involves a rotation of the spine, in which
the individual vertebrae bones twist around the long axis of the spine.
It's estimated that 4% of all children ages 10 to 14 have detectable scoliosis.
About 60% to 80% of all cases occur in adolescent girls. When boys are affected,
it usually develops in early childhood. Most people with scoliosis have barely
noticeable curvatures.