Scoliosis Support Group

Scoliosis can be caused by a variety of things, so it's not the same for everyone. It can be secondary to a condition such as having different leg lengths, malformed vertebrae, a spinal tumour, a connective tissue disorder or a neuromuscular disease.

I guess what you are asking about is what causes "Idiopathic" scoliosis, which is where there isn't a clear reason for the scoliosis having developed. In a lot of cases of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis there appears to be a clear genetic bias, with several members of the same family developing curves. This may in turn be down to an unidentified hereditary condition such as a connective tissue disorder or a neurological problem, but until this has been identified the scoliosis will be referred to as idiopathic.

Hi there,

I am a genetic counsellor who has also had surgical repair for scoliosis. It is true that some cases of "idiopathic" scoliosis are due to undiagnosed syndromes, e.g. Marfan syndrome. These syndromes are caused by changes in a single gene.
However, while they have not identified all the contributing causes for the rest of the cases of idiopathic scoliosis, there is consensus that it is a complex disorder. This means that BOTH genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. This is the case whether there is a strong family history of scoliosis or not. Genes carry the instructions to tell your body how to grow and develop, but external influences also play a role. It is likely that many genes (not just one) are partially responsible in each case of "idiopathic" scoliosis. However, because it is not just one gene (as in the case of syndromes), they each individually make only a small contribution to the development of scoliosis, and so it has been difficult to identify them. As far as I am aware there is currently no available genetic testing for idiopathic scoliosis, and I know of few studies that have looked at the environmental contributors. It is frustrating to me how little research there has been on the environmental factor side of things. I hope this helps to answer your question.

I find it frustrating too! How can something so serious be not listened to so much? I find at last, someone has developed something useful. Spinecor brace seems great :-) I am hoping to get one for xmas lol that's what i really want!

Yes this is a very frustrating topic. I often wonder why there isn't more research out there. But as my husband put it, since there is no drug to cure it, pharma companies aren't going to fund research and so there is no one to pay for such a study.

Based on some things I have read and some information I have come across recently through reading articles and speaking with my doctor, it appears as though ligment laxity or hyperflexibility may be the genetic issue contributing to the condition. (At least in my case)

Big question with few answers........large chapters in books have been written on the topic and not concluded a definite answer to this question, but AIS seems to have a genetic propensity (hence the scoliscore test from Axial bio-tech) and environmental triggers.....One of which seems to be increased levels of Osteopontin (which will be able to be measured soon when the much anticipated blood test is available).