Full Answer
Structural scoliosis may also be caused by muscular weakness or other problems caused by other muscular or skeletal diseases, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Structural scoliosis diagnosed in adults is often present since childhood or adolescence, but not diagnosed until later in life,...
The main difference between structural scoliosis and nonstructural scoliosis is whether or not there is rotation of the spine. In other words, nonstructural scoliosis is when the spine appears to be curved, but this curve is most often due to postural problems or irregularities elsewhere in the body. [1]
Because scoliosis can affect posture in many different ways, for an untrained eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a true structural scoliosis and something that is more of a functional scoliosis or posture related problem.
Scoliosis is classified as severe when a curve is 40+ degrees in an adolescent and 50+ degrees in an adult. Most individuals are diagnosed with scoliosis when they are in the moderate stage, with a curve between 25 and 40 degrees.
Generally speaking, there are two categories of scoliosis - structural scoliosis and nonstructural scoliosis, often known as functional scoliosis, which is actually more of a posture problem or muscle imbalance rather than a true scoliosis. A true structural scoliosis involves spinal rotation in addition to a side-to-side curve of the spine of 10 degrees or more. By definition, nonstructural scoliosis isn’t truly a scoliosis because it does not include rotation of the spine, and it appears to go away when the body is in various positions.
Rotation of the spine is what makes structural scoliosis complex, because it is a 3-dimensional condition rather than a 2-dimensional condition. When a patient’s spine rotates, specifically their thoracic spine, their torso and ribs can also rotate, causing a concave side and a convex side.
In other words, nonstructural scoliosis is when the spine appears to be curved, but this curve is most often due to postural problems or irregularities elsewhere in the body.
One simple way professionals determine if a curve is a true scoliosis or a posture problem is to have the patient lie down. If the curve is still present when the individual is lying down, it is likely a true scoliosis and not a functional scoliosis or a posture related curve.
A good alternative to traditional bracing is a 3-D corrective brace, such as the ScoliBrace. Some CLEAR Scoliosis Centers use this as a compliment to the CLEAR approach.
Transient functional scoliosis is typically a temporary response to pain in the body, most often caused by a herniated disc.
With moderate scoliosis, the Cobb Angle has a measurement of 25 to 40 degrees. Scoliosis is classified as severe when a curve is 40+ degrees in an adolescent and 50+ degrees in an adult. Most individuals are diagnosed with scoliosis when they are in the moderate stage, with a curve between 25 and 40 degrees.
Generally speaking, there are two categories of scoliosis - structural scoliosis and nonstructural scoliosis, often known as functional scoliosis, which is actually more of a posture problem or muscle imbalance rather than a true scoliosis. A true structural scoliosis involves spinal rotation in addition to a side-to-side curve of the spine of 10 degrees or more. By definition, nonstructural scoliosis isn’t truly a scoliosis because it does not include rotation of the spine, and it appears to go away when the body is in various positions.
Rotation of the spine is what makes structural scoliosis complex, because it is a 3-dimensional condition rather than a 2-dimensional condition. When a patient’s spine rotates, specifically their thoracic spine, their torso and ribs can also rotate, causing a concave side and a convex side.
In other words, nonstructural scoliosis is when the spine appears to be curved, but this curve is most often due to postural problems or irregularities elsewhere in the body.
One simple way professionals determine if a curve is a true scoliosis or a posture problem is to have the patient lie down. If the curve is still present when the individual is lying down, it is likely a true scoliosis and not a functional scoliosis or a posture related curve.
A good alternative to traditional bracing is a 3-D corrective brace, such as the ScoliBrace. Some CLEAR Scoliosis Centers use this as a compliment to the CLEAR approach.
Transient functional scoliosis is typically a temporary response to pain in the body, most often caused by a herniated disc.
With moderate scoliosis, the Cobb Angle has a measurement of 25 to 40 degrees. Scoliosis is classified as severe when a curve is 40+ degrees in an adolescent and 50+ degrees in an adult. Most individuals are diagnosed with scoliosis when they are in the moderate stage, with a curve between 25 and 40 degrees.