At What Age Does Scoliosis Stop Progressing and Can Children Outgrow Their Curve?

Aug 25

As a physical therapist and scoliosis coach, I see and hear so much information about scoliosis: from my clients, from other practitioners, and on the internet. And it’s nice to have instant access to information that used to be hidden in dusty medical textbooks. But it’s a double-edged sword — more visibility is good, but so much of the information out there (especially online) is untrue.

I want to discuss some of the scoliosis myths I see all the time. So let’s start with one that still seems hotly debated online and in the healthcare space: What age scoliosis stops progressing and whether a child can outgrow their spinal curve.

Myth: Curves Don’t Progress After Puberty

“Scoliosis curves don’t progress after puberty.” It’s a common misconception that many people believe — and that many medical professionals still ascribe to.

Unfortunately, it’s not true. Scoliosis doesn’t automatically stop progressing after puberty. And just because a curve doesn’t get “worse” during childhood doesn’t mean that it won’t progress later in life. Hearing this myth — especially from medical professionals — can give you and your child a false sense of security about their condition.

Scoliosis starts with a “wedged” disc or vertebra. This malformation means that one side of the disc or vertebra is shorter than the other, which creates uneven loading on the rest of the spine. The asymmetrical loading causes the disk or vertebra to grow even more asymmetrically, worsening the curve. (The shorter side is compressed and grows more slowly than the longer side.)

Clearly, this situation doesn’t easily resolve itself without any outside influence. There have been a few rare cases where scoliosis resolved on its own (in male children). So it’s technically a possibility, but a highly unlikely one.

My Scoliosis Story

I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 8 years old. And because my curve was mild, my doctor’s advice was to just “wait and see” if it got worse instead of treating it immediately. This approach was common when I was a child, and it’s still something I see often today.

But it’s not accurate! We know now that scoliosis doesn’t just stop progressing after puberty. And we know that early treatment can have a profound effect on minimizing curve progression and scoliosis symptoms.

So if your child’s medical team is taking a “wait and see” approach to their curve, I’d encourage you to get a second opinion (from a spinal surgeon and/or scoliosis specialist) and look into some early treatment options. Many general practitioners and family doctors are still receiving outdated information about scoliosis care and treatment, so it’s important to follow up with a specialist.

How to Counteract False Scoliosis Information

With all the details out there on the internet, it can be hard to know whether the information you’re getting is true or not. It’s so frustrating — especially if you missed out on treatment opportunities because of something you heard or read from what seemed like a reliable source.

A good rule of thumb is to always research and verify information. The National Scoliosis Society is a reliable online source of information. Another good option is to find a local scoliosis specialist — they’ll likely have more experience with this condition than a general practitioner.

Scoliosis and Puberty

Scoliosis doesn’t simply resolve itself prior to puberty. However, the window between childhood diagnosis and the start of puberty is very important. During that time, the skeleton is still maturing, so treatment methods to reduce spinal curvature are more effective.

For female children, the end of that window is often tied to the start of menstruation. But the medical community also uses the Risser classification system to identify skeletal maturity.

Risser Sign

Your child’s doctor may mention their Risser sign when talking about your child’s spine and the risk of curve progression. This classification method categorizes skeletal maturity into 6 categories (from 0 to 5) based on ossification (hardening of the bones).

Lower numbers represent less skeletal maturity. So the lower your child’s Risser sign, the greater the chance that their curve will progress. However, that also means there’s a greater opportunity for treatment to work — slowing or even reversing the spinal curve.

Walking Through Your Child’s Scoliosis Diagnosis

How should you handle your child’s diagnosis as a parent? Here are some important things to remember:

Request a back-to-front X-ray: Having a high number of X-rays as a child can increase the risk of breast cancer, but facing away from the X-ray machine may lower that risk. You’ll also get a slightly clearer look at the spine.
Ask for EOS Imaging: This is an imaging option that uses a lower dose of radiation, which is especially important for children who may be getting numerous X-rays during diagnosis and treatment.
Find a scoliosis specialist: I’d recommend searching for a Schroth physical therapist; the Schroth Method is the gold standard for scoliosis care because it’s specifically designed to address the spinal curve, not just the symptoms. A traditional physical therapy approach focuses on treating chronic pain but not incorporating exercises to slow or reverse the spinal curve.
Don’t stop sports: You might wonder if it’s safe for your child to continue playing sports after their diagnosis. In most cases, the answer is yes! Being physically active is one of the best ways to treat scoliosis. If your child plays sports that include lots of spinal twisting (e.g., tennis, baseball, dance), a scoliosis specialist can help them counter that rotational energy.

You may also want to look for a support group for parents of children with scoliosis. It can help you manage some of the emotional aspects of going through this process with your child.

Advocating for Your Child

It’s a frightening experience when your child is diagnosed with scoliosis. But it’s important to remember that there are many things you can do to help them treat their condition. It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion from a scoliosis specialist, especially if their diagnosis came from a GP who recommends a “wait and see” approach.

The idea that childhood scoliosis can just go away on its own is persistent, but it’s a myth. It’s crucial to start treatment as soon as possible after your child’s diagnosis. While they’re young, there’s still a chance to slow, stop, or reverse spinal curvature. I’d recommend working with a Schroth specialist who has the training to design a treatment plan that addresses the curve itself along with chronic pain and other symptoms.

One of the best ways to minimize pain and support your spine is to make minor adjustments to your posture and alignment during daily activities. I teach these adjustments in my 6-month virtual program, The Scoliosis Movement Bootcamp. You can help your child manage their symptoms for less than the cost of an X-ray! Get all the details and join The Scoliosis Movement Bootcamp today.

If you want more information on scoliosis and ways to reduce pain and other symptoms, listen to my podcast, Ahead of the Curve. Subscribe to get every episode when it airs!