I have now levoscoliosis of the thoracic spine...

irishjaneceniza,

I am assuming that you are skeletally mature, that you have reached your full height. In adults, a curve of twenty degrees is not treated. It is just barely at the limit for the definition of scoliosis.

Curves of under 20 degrees rarely progress throughout adulthood. Curves above 20 degrees may progress, usually at less than a degree per year. So, in patients with a curve, it is usually that the patient be followed up about every five years of so for and evaluation and x-rays (if needed).

As to the change in direction, you may want to have the two x-rays reevaluated. One was probably just mislabeled. It is very doubtful that you would go from a 20 degree right (dexter) sided curve to a 20 degree left (levo or sinister) sided curve, a 40 degree swing. By convention, the direction the apex of the curve points to is the direction it is labeled.


So, at present, for a twenty degree curve in a skeletally mature patient does not need any treatment, except observation. If you are having back pain, then some other cause should be sought out. Most commonly it is musculoskeletal in nature.

This is something that you should discuss with your orthopedic surgeon. Good luck.

but i'm just 17 years of age. do i need to worry about this? is it possible that braces are needed?

Read more: Back Pain Forum - i need a treatment please http://ehealthforum.com/health/i-need-a-tr eatment-please-t351182.html#ixzz1xl93MR3P

but i'm just 17 years of age. do i need to worry about this? is it possible that braces are needed?

irishjaneceniza,

No you do not need a brace.

Bracing will only work on children who are still growing, that have not reached skeletal maturity. In young ladies, once they have started their periods (reached menarche), they are considered skeletally mature and will not grow in height significantly anymore.

Also, bracing is usually not considered for treatment of scoliosis until the curve reaches over 30 degrees (or has progressed rapidly in a smaller curve in a young child).

Bracing is also not a cure for a curve. The brace will only correct the curve while it is being worn. The idea for bracing is to try to prevent the curve from progressing any further. When the patient removed the brace, the spine just goes back to the previous curvature. Again, bracing is to try to prevent progression of a curve in a growing adolescent.


At present, you do not need any specific treatment for a curve of 20 degrees. Again, this is just barely the definition of scoliosis. In some institutions, scoliosis is considered any curve over 10 degrees, but in others, a curve of 10-19 degrees is considered spinal asymmetry. Only curves over 20 degree are labeled scoliosis.

The reason for this, is many institutions do not want to give a patient a label of scoliosis, because that might cause problems later on, in trying to get health insurance (pre-existing condition) and getting employment in certain occupations (military, construction, etc). So, you are just barely at the level for this to actually be called scoliosis. Taking measurement error into account, it is very possible that if you have another radiologist measure your curve, it may come out to 18 degrees, or 22 degrees. There is usually about a 5 degree margin of error in measuring spinal curves.


As to what might happen as you get older, it is known that small curves usually do not progress. Occasionally, a small curve will gradually progress over a patient's lifetime, usually at a rate of less than 1 degree per year.

Curvature of the spine, in itself, does not cause back pain or other problems, especially when it is small. Pulmonary or cardiac problems usually do not develop until a curve reaches over 60 degrees.


So, if you are having problems with your back, you need to search for another reason. The most common cause of back pain is musculoskeletal, especially in young adults. If you have done the physical therapy, exercise, maintained your weight, developed your cardiovascular status, and still have back problems, then you might want to see a spine surgeon for an evaluation.

But, as for your curve, it really does not need any specific treatment, other than just watching it over your lifetime.

Good luck.

Don't let doctors be too dismissive about your scoliosis. it is a controversial topic among the medical profession. I believe the role scoliosis plays in the generation of pain is not fully understood and is often downplayed.

I understand there are some who cope well with significant scoliosis, but there are also people who smoke heavily all their lives without ill effect, or people who have been shot in the head and show no ill effects. The vast majority of people who have significant scoliosis seem to have some level of pain and stiffness and it is not fully understood whether this condition will hasten the development of degenerative disk disease and degenerative joint disease in the spine.

There is a good reason why the military would not want someone with significant scoliois in a combat role. I am gratful that my spine is not curved like an s or c shape.

so you mean that there's no need to worry.

iriahjaneceniza,

A small curve needs to be watched, throughout your lifetime. If you are not having any problems, then nothing needs to be done about it.

If you are having significant back pain, then you should have an evaluation by a spine surgeon. Most back pain in young adults is musculoskeletal in nature and can be usually be treated successfully with physical therapy and conditioning.

So, while you may have a small curve, if you are not having any problems, you do not need to do anything about it at present.

Good luck.

if i will not do anything about it, it will be possible that there will be a problem?

Its possible that it could be a problem in the future. But scoliosis will sometimes resolve itself in early onset cases like yours. Surgery is a very serious step to take. The medical profession believes that it is not warranted in patients with smaller curves like yours with good reason.


I don't know if you have access to really good doctors but if you are under a doctors care its important they are really good. Doctors are not really sure why scoliosis develops and the outcomes from treatment are patchy and hard to predict.

After reading this thread I am now second guessing my own results.
I just had xrays and the results show mild levoscoliosis distal throacic spine with a Cobb angle noted to be 9.6 degrees. I was told this is actually compressing on my lungs. I have been referred to a Neurosurgeon. I am a 52 year old woman. I am looking for exercises and physical therapy for relief, not a scalpel.

hi Im 22 years now.. I have same situation about Thoracic Levoscoliosis...My Last X-ray shows (impression) that it consider Slight Thoracic Levoscoliosis OR Maybe Positional In Nature....My question is that, Is there any possible that my case maybe positional in nature? Is there any complications or further problem may develop in the future if my case Thoracic levoscoliosis is in Positional in NAture??? thak you so much.....

hi Im 22 years now.. I have same situation about Thoracic Levoscoliosis...My Last X-ray shows (impression) that it consider Slight Thoracic Levoscoliosis OR Maybe Positional In Nature....My question is that, Is there any possible that my case maybe positional in nature? Is there any complications or further problem may develop in the future if my case Thoracic levoscoliosis is in Positional in NAture??? thak you so much.....