Rare Causes of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve. It is a lateral curvature, which means it is visible when the spine is viewed from the front or back. In addition to spinal curvature, scoliosis may also cause the spine to be deformed and affect the pelvic (hip) area. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. Although the condition is not particularly common, the University of Southern California's Center for Spinal Surgery estimates that around 2 percent to 3 percent of school-age children have a spinal curvature greater than 10 degrees. Most cases of scoliosis do not require treatment.

Causes of Scoliosis

• Most cases of scoliosis are first diagnosed by a physician.

  The three main causes of scoliosis are: idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown; congenital, meaning occurrence because of a developmental defect; and neuromuscular, meaning an underlying disorder of the neuromuscular system, such as cerebral palsy. There are cases of scoliosis, however, that are caused by rare conditions. The most prevalent of the rare causes of scoliosis are Marfan syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets and rheumatoid arthritis.

Marfan Syndrome

• Surgery is one treatment to correct scoliosis.

  Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that is inherited through the parents. Patients with Marfan's are unusually tall with long arms, legs and fingers. Because the disease is a disorder of the connective tissue, the spine may be curved or deformed. An article in Scoliosis Journal.com estimates that 60 percent of patients who have Marfan's also develop scoliosis. Surgery to correct the spinal curve is the most common treatment.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

• Osteogenesis causes bones to break easily, including the long bones.

  Another rare cause of scoliosis is osteogenesis imperfecta, which is also a genetically inherited disease. In this disease, the bones, especially those of the arms, legs and spine, are easily broken, particularly during childhood. Osteogenesis imperfecta does not respond well to braces, and surgery is difficult because the bones are so fragile.

Rickets and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Drinking milk is one way to keep from developing rickets, which can cause scoliosis.

  Rickets is a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is needed to grow strong bones. A lack of vitamin D can lead to poor bone formation, and scoliosis can result. Rickets can be prevented by eating a diet adequate in vitamin D foods, such as milk, and getting exposure to the sun.

  According to the website Arthritis-symptom.com, rheumatoid arthritis does not cause scoliosis; rather, the joint inflammation that is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis can affect the spine and cause it to curve.