What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase a person's risk for scoliosis include:

• Family history. Scoliosis is known to run in families. Children—especially daughters—of women who have scoliosis are at increased risk for having scoliosis.⁴
• Being female. Girls are seven times more likely than boys to have a significant curve that requires treatment.²

Scoliosis is more common in people who have:

• A spinal bone that is pushed forward (forward displacement), usually in the lower back (spondylolisthesis).
• Missing or abnormally short arms or legs.
• Other disorders related to tissue development while in the womb.