ABSTRACT
The reported prevalence of adult scoliosis is as high as 68". There are several potential causes of scoliosis and kyphosis, including degenerative, postoperative, idiopathic, and secondary to conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis. Back pain affects 80" of people at some point in their lives. It is a leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide. Although back pain is multifactorial, it is the most common symptom encountered in patients with adult scoliosis and/or kyphosis and often gets better after appropriate treatment of such conditions. Nonoperative management of sagittal and coronal imbalance can be performed in patients with good functional status and with mild pain. Physical therapy, stretching, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the primary conservative treatment options. Operative treatment is recommended in patients with moderate to severe symptoms, those who fail conservative measures for pain control, and patients with neurologic deficits.
