Unfortunately this is a really difficult question to answer. In most cases the cause of scoliosis is idiopathic, which means that there is no known cause. In some cases it does seem to run in families. Around a quarter of people with scoliosis have a close relative with a curvature of the spine. 

If you or any of your children are diagnosed with scoliosis it is important that you see a scoliosis specialist. There are around 30 scoliosis centres of excellence across the UK and you can find your nearest specialist by calling or emailing SAUK. You will need to take the names of the specialists to your GP, who will arrange a referral. You will then receive a letter in the post with your appointment date and time.

At your first consultation you will be examined by the specialist, X-rays will be taken, and you will be told the Cobb angle. The Cobb angle is measured in degrees and will tell you how big the curve is.

The specialist will then talk to you about your scoliosis and possible treatments. For smaller curves the specialist will probably want to start by checking you regularly to see if the curve is getting bigger. For larger curves treatment will probably be recommended. It is important to remember that every scoliosis is different and there is no standard treatment, so getting the advice of a specialist is very important.

In general, AIS should not stop patients from taking part in physical activities. Patients who have mild scoliosis and are being monitored by a specialist can usually carry on as normal.

Patients may be monitored to start with to see if the scoliosis is progressing (getting worse) and at what rate. This monitoring usually means being checked regularly by a specialist. X-rays will be taken to see if the curve is getting bigger. Some patients will not need further treatment but for patients who have a large curve surgery may be recommended. For information on AIS surgery click here

Scoliosis can only be prevented when it is due to rickets or poliomyelitis, which can both be treated. Happily both these diseases are now very rare. 

Scoliosis is not caused by bad posture, carrying a heavy backpack, or anything the child or parents did or did not do.

It is very common for a parent not to notice a curvature straightaway. Scoliosis most often appears during adolescence, when the body is developing and changing. Young people are more likely to undress privately and it’s often on holiday or when they are wearing something tight that the curvature is noticed. Scoliosis can progress very quickly, so a curve can seem to appear suddenly that might not have been easy to spot just a few months earlier.

As a parent the most important things to focus on are:

• that the curvature has been spotted
• that your child is getting the right specialist supervision
• giving your child lots of support

Having scoliosis does not stop most young people doing what they always do. If they are not in pain and are under specialist care they can go on as they always have. Exercising and taking part in sports is a good idea and helps to keep you healthy and flexible. However, it is a good idea to check this with the specialist. It is particularly important to check in the case of sports like rugby or horse riding.

Wearing a brace shouldn’t stop a child from being active. If surgery is needed, patients should slowly ease back into gentle exercise. Many patients will be back to normal activity levels by around 6 months. For high impact exercise and contact sports it will take longer.

Please do note that every case is different, so ensure that you consult your scoliosis specialist.

It is normal to feel confused about what course of treatment to choose for you or your child. There is a lot of information to take in and some of the questions about scoliosis have no clear answer. It is absolutely fine to ask your specialist further questions, and perhaps another appointment to go through everything again. It is usually helpful to have list of questions for the specialist so that you get all the information you want. If need be you could ask for a second opinion.

If you need names of other centres or specialists then you can get this information from us by calling or emailing the SAUK Helpline. You may also find that it helps to talk through the specialist’s advice with someone. The friendly SAUK team are always happy to offer advice, support, and a listening ear. You can ask us as many questions as you like and we will try to help. It sometimes helps to speak to people who have been in a similar position. If you would like to speak to people affected by scoliosis, the SAUK membership scheme can help you to do so.

Many of our members have happy, healthy families. It is always sensible to discuss the management of labour in advance with the medical staff who will take care of you during the birth. Your scoliosis may affect the position you take during labour and delivery. Sometimes if you have had a spinal fusion operation you will not be able to have an epidural.

Although idiopathic scoliosis sometimes runs in families, the risk of the baby developing scoliosis is low.

Everyone reacts differently to being diagnosed with and living with scoliosis but it can be a lonely and worrying time for a teenager. Young people often dislike anything that makes them different from their friends and may worry about what scoliosis will mean for their future.

It is important for teenagers to be involved in discussions about their health and given the chance to ask questions of the specialist if they wish to do so. It is a good idea to get them to write down any questions or concerns before the appointment.

Try to discourage them from surfing the internet for information about scoliosis and let them know that what they read online will often not be accurate. It is helpful to provide them with information from trusted sources as learning more about scoliosis can help to reassure them.

Speaking with other teenagers who also have scoliosis can help them to feel less alone. Our membership scheme allows us to put families in touch with each other who have been through similar experiences so teenagers can contact each other or meet up. 

If your teenager has been put on the waiting list for surgery this can be a very difficult and often upsetting time for the whole family. Being prepared can really help to reduce anxiety and distress so we have put together some guidelines to help with preparing your child for surgery.

Encouraging a young person to wear a brace can be really hard. There will be times when it feels hot and uncomfortable. Brace-wearers often feel self-conscious and different from their school friends. At SAUK we believe that young people find it helpful to speak to others who have been through a similar experience. If you are a member we can give you contact details of other young people with scoliosis in your area. If your child feels comfortable you could ask your child’s school to have a talk or assembly about scoliosis will raise awareness of the condition, and increase understanding at school. We can provide leaflets to the school and talk to them about how to best support a child with scoliosis.

Every person is very different when it comes to recovery. For young people, a usual hospital stay is about a week after the operation, but this time can vary depending on how extensive the operation is.

Once at home, most patients would be able to do basic things for themselves and be able to go up and downstairs but might need some help. They can slowly build up their activity levels as they recover.

The general guideline for going back to school is around 6 weeks but some people feel well enough to return sooner. Many patients will be back to doing their normal activities by around 6 months after the operation. For some activities such as football and other contact sports it will be longer ̶ usually around 9 months to a year after the operation.

It is your right to ask for a second opinion from another specialist at the same or a different hospital.

Also every hospital has a patient advice and liaison service (PALS). If you are unhappy with the way that you have been treated or have any other worry or concern about your care, you can seek advice from the PALS service linked to your hospital, which will be happy to help.

For patients in Scotland you can contact the Patient Advice and Support Service http://www.patientadvicescotland.org.uk/

Patients in Northern Ireland can contact http://www.patientclientcouncil.hscni.net/