Q: is osteoarthritis similar to scoliosis?
The short answer is no, it's not similar. But scoliosis may cause osteoarthritis: "Degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis of the spine can contribute to scoliosis (or curvature of the spine), but this type of scoliosis is rarely a significant problem. ... If narrowing of the disk space or osteoarthritis affects one side more than the other, a slight curve in the spine may develop, but degenerative changes tend to be symmetric -- both sides are affected to a similar degree -- so significant curvature related to disk disease or osteoarthritis is relatively rare and the curvature itself rarely requires treatment."
Scoliosis can appear at any age, according to the NIH. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type in children aged 10-12 and in their early teens. Girls are more likely than boys to have this type of scoliosis. Scoliosis can also run in families.
Here's some more information about scoliosis, osteoarthritis and back pain.
You should get a thorough evaluation by an orthopedist or some other specialist.
SCOLIOSIS IS CURVITURE OF THE SPINE. MY DAUGHTER HAS IT. WE NOTICED THAT HER SPINS WAS CURVED WHEN SHE WAS 8. SHE HAD TO WEAR A BODY BRACE FOR 3 YEARS AND THEN SHE STILL HAD TO HAVE BACK SURGERY TO PUT A ROD IN HER UPPER BACK. SHE STILL HAS LOWER BACK PAIN BUT SHE IS NOW 38 AND IS DOING WELL. SHE DOES NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS.
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