This section is designed to help you better understand the terms related to scoliosis treatment. The information has been researched by our team and explained in simple terms to clarify what different abbreviations and procedures mean.
This page is constantly being updated.
Please note, this is not a medically-focused section.
SCOLIOSIS – it is a condition in which the spine is curved abnormally. The spine bends towards one side and usually rotates or turns on it long axis, which can make the person’s waist and shoulders appear uneven.
IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS – A spinal curve that develops without a clear reason, not linked to injury or disease, and has no known cause.
CONGENITAL SCOLIOSIS: is a type of scoliosis that a person is born with, so it is present at birth. This condition arises due to abnormal development of the spine during fetal growth, leading to atypical curvatures. It’s different from idiopathic scoliosis because there is a known cause.
NEUROMUSCULAR SCOLIOSIS – this type of scoliosis is associated with many neurological conditions including but not limited too cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy.
FUNCTIONAL – Caused by issues like muscle spasms, leg length discrepancies, or poor posture. This form is typically temporary and resolves once the underlying issue is addressed.
CURVE PROGRESSION – the worsening of an unnatural spinal curve to increase in size and rotation over time, most common during rapid growth spurts in adolescence.
CONVEXITY – the direction in which a particular curve bends or points (to the right or to the left. The convex side of the curve is the outer angle.
CONCAVITY – the inner angle of the curve.
APEX – this is most off-centred vertebra. If you have two curves there will be two apexes.
THORACIC – Curve is in the upper back.
LUMBAR – Curve is in the lower back.
THORACOLUMBAR – Affects both thoracic and lumbar regions.
SPINAL FUSION – Surgical procedure that joins vertebrae together (using bone grafts, rods, and screws) to correct severe scoliosis curves, prevent progression, and stabilize the spine permanently.
VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) – A newer, growth-modulating surgery for growing children with scoliosis; a flexible tether is placed on one side of the spine to guide correction while preserving motion (unlike fusion).
SCROTH METHOD – A specialised physical therapy approach using customised 3D exercises and breathing techniques to improve posture, reduce curve progression, and manage scoliosis non-surgically.
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan used to evaluate the spine in scoliosis cases, checking for underlying issues like spinal cord abnormalities, tumors, or syrinx.
EDS – Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a group of connective tissue disorders; it often causes joint hypermobility, skin issues, and can lead to or worsen scoliosis due to ligament laxity.
COBB ANGLE – Standard measurement of scoliosis severity on X-rays; the angle formed between tilted vertebrae in the curve (e.g., >10° indicates scoliosis, >45–50° often prompts surgery consideration).
SPINE AREAS – LUMBAR – THORACIC – Refers to main spinal regions affected by scoliosis: thoracic (mid/upper back), lumbar (lower back), or thoracolumbar (transition area); curves are classified by location.
SANDERS SCORE AND RISSER SCORE – The Sanders score and Risser score are X-ray-based systems used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to measure how much growth a person has left. This is important because scoliosis tends to worsen during growth spurts.
Higher scores = less growth remaining → lower risk of worsening
Lower scores = more growth remaining → higher risk of curve progression
Tanner stage or menarche). Always consult an orth