Most people have what is called idiopathic scoliosis, which means we do not know the cause. We do know that there may be a genetic predisposition for scoliosis and there is now genetic testing that can predict if an adolescent’s curve will progress into surgical range. We also know that scoliosis is much more common in females than males and that half of all people with scoliosis are clinically hypermobile (increased laxity of the joints) versus 20% of the general population. Once scoliosis starts the vertebrae of the spine can become wedged shaped which causes further progression of the curve or curvatures. There is also a rotational component to the progression of scoliosis which changes the shape of the ribcage and or the abdominal cavity.
