# Types of Scoliosis: A Visual and Practical Guide for Families A scoliosis diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when you're a parent hearing the word for the first time. The good news: most children diagnosed today have a highly treatable, non-life-threatening curve, and understanding which **type** of scoliosis your child has is the first step to knowing what comes next. Scoliosis is defined as a sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine measuring **10 degrees or more** on an X-ray, often accompanied by spinal rotation that can make the shoulders, hips, or rib cage appear uneven. ([Scoliosis Research Society](https://www.srs.org/Patients/Conditions/Scoliosis)) This article walks you through the main classifications of scoliosis, how doctors screen for it, and the questions you should be ready to ask at your next appointment. ## The Four Main Types of Scoliosis Pediatric scoliosis is generally grouped by its underlying cause. Knowing the category helps your child's care team predict how the curve may behave and which treatments — observation, bracing, or surgery — are most likely to help. ### Related Links - [Early Detection of Scoliosis](https://spinaltech.com/resources/early-detection-of-scoliosis) **1. Idiopathic Scoliosis (most common — about 80% of cases)** "Idiopathic" means no single cause has been identified, though research points to a strong genetic component. Idiopathic scoliosis is further divided by the age at which it appears: - **Infantile** — birth to age 3. Some curves resolve on their own; others can progress quickly and need close monitoring ([UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/spine/conditions/idiopathic-scoliosis)). - **Juvenile** — ages 4 to 9. These curves carry a higher risk of significant progression because the child has many growing years ahead ([UCLA Health](https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/spine/conditions/idiopathic-scoliosis)). - **Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)** — ages 10 to skeletal maturity. This is the most common form overall, affecting roughly **2–3% of adolescents**, with girls far more likely than boys to develop curves that require treatment ([Hospital for Special Surgery](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/scoliosis-in-children-teenagers)). **2. Congenital Scoliosis** Caused by vertebrae that didn't form correctly in the womb, congenital scoliosis is usually detected very early in life. Because the malformation is structural, bracing is less often effective, and some children eventually need surgical correction ([Scottish Rite for Children](https://scottishriteforchildren.org/5-common-types-of-scoliosis-which-form-does-your-child-have/)). **3. Neuromuscular Scoliosis** This type develops as a secondary condition in children with underlying neurological or muscular disorders such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida. Curves can progress rapidly and often require a combination of seating support, custom bracing, and surgery ([Hospital for Special Surgery](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/neuromuscular-scoliosis)). **4. Syndromic & Other Causes** Less commonly, scoliosis develops alongside a broader syndrome (e.g., Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis), or as a result of trauma, tumors, or spinal degeneration. These cases benefit from specialized, multidisciplinary care. ## What is a Cobb Angle? The **Cobb angle** is the measurement, taken from an X-ray, that tells your doctor how severe your child's curve is. According to Dr. Mostafa El-Feky et. al., (2020) the Cobb angle is defined as, “*the most widely used measurement to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially in the case of scoliosis, on plain radiographs.*” (El-Reky et. al., 2020). [Read More](https://spinaltech.com/resources/what-are-the-different-scoliosis-curves-called) ## What Do Scoliosis Curve Types Look Like? This is a healthy spine Below is a visual overview of the different scoliosis curve types. Lumbar Scoliosis Thoracic Scoliosis Thoracolumbar Scoliosis Double Curve Scoliosis - Lumbar Scoliosis - Thoracic Scoliosis - Thoracolumbar Scoliosis - Double Curve Scoliosis ## Scoliosis Rib Rotation With scoliosis, the spine curves from side-to-side in varying degrees. As the scoliosis progresses, some of the spinal vertebrae may also rotate, making the hips or shoulders appear uneven. In severe scoliosis, the twisting in the spine can pull the rib cage into the rotation, creating the rib "hump" that is often visible during a forward bend. Normal Spine Scoliosis Rib Rotation Scoliosis X-Ray with Rib Rotation - Normal Spine - Scoliosis Rib Rotation - Scoliosis X-Ray with Rib Rotation ## Adams Forward Bend Test The Adams Forward Bend Test is commonly used at doctors offices and schools to check for early signs of scoliosis. The patient bends forward and the the doctor, nurse or coach examines their back and spine. If the patient has scoliosis, their back often has a prominent line where the spine is, and one side is higher than the other. If the patient’s back is completely straight they do not have scoliosis. Please consult with your doctor for more information on scoliosis. The child bends forward at the waist with arms hanging and feet together, while the examiner looks at the spine from the posterior view. Telltale signs of scoliosis include: - A visible **rib prominence** on one side - **Asymmetry** in the shoulders, shoulder blades, or waistline - A spine that does not appear straight along its full length If the back appears completely straight and symmetrical, scoliosis is unlikely. A positive forward bend test is **not** a diagnosis on its own — your doctor will order a standing X-ray to measure the Cobb angle and confirm the type and severity of the curve. ## FAQ - For the vast majority of children, scoliosis is a manageable condition — not a life-threatening one. About 2–3% of adolescents have idiopathic scoliosis, but **fewer than 10% of those cases ever require surgery** ([Hospital for Special Surgery](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/scoliosis-in-children-teenagers)). The seriousness depends on three things: the **type** of scoliosis (idiopathic, congenital, or neuromuscular), the **Cobb angle** (curve size), and **how much growth your child has left**. Mild curves under 25 degrees are usually just monitored. Curves between 25 and 40 degrees in a growing child are typically treated with a brace, which is highly effective at preventing progression. Surgery is generally only considered for curves above 45–50 degrees that continue to worsen. - These three categories describe the underlying cause of the curve. **Idiopathic scoliosis** has no known cause and accounts for about 80% of cases — it most often appears in otherwise healthy adolescents between ages 10 and 15. **Congenital scoliosis** is present at birth and caused by vertebrae that didn't form correctly in the womb; it is usually diagnosed in infancy or early childhood and often progresses structurally, meaning bracing alone may not stop it. **Neuromuscular scoliosis** develops as a secondary condition in children with neurological or muscular disorders like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spina bifida, where weakened muscles cannot support a straight spine. Each type follows a different progression pattern, which is why classification is the first step in building a treatment plan ([Scottish Rite for Children](https://scottishriteforchildren.org/5-common-types-of-scoliosis-which-form-does-your-child-have/)). - Bracing is typically recommended when a still-growing child has a Cobb angle between **25° and 40°**, or a curve of 20°–24° that has progressed by 5 or more degrees in 6 months ([Kaiser Permanente Clinical Review](https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-plan-documents/coverage-information/clinical-review-scoliosis-back-brace-pediatric-ga.pdf)). The landmark BrAIST trial showed that bracing was successful in preventing curves from progressing to the surgical threshold in **72% of adolescents** who wore the brace as prescribed — a major improvement over observation alone ([BrAIST, Sage Journals](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0309364618792727)). Modern custom braces, including nighttime-only options like the [Providence Nocturnal Scoliosis® System](https://spinaltech.com/products/providence-nocturnal-scoliosis-system), allow children to participate fully in school, sports, and social activities while treatment happens during sleep. The key to success is **consistent wear** for the number of hours your orthotist prescribes. #### Related Articles ##### [Jessica Ashwood: The Olympic Swimmer Who Refuses to Let Scoliosis Set the Pace](https://spinaltech.com/resources/jessica-ashwood-olympic-swimmer) ##### [How to Talk With a Child Who Is Wearing a Scoliosis Brace](https://spinaltech.com/resources/how-to-talk-with-a-child-who-is-wearing-a-scoliosis-brace) ##### [What is One Piece of Advice?](https://spinaltech.com/resources/what-is-one-piece-of-advice)