Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. Scoliosis treatment depends on several factors, including the age when you get your diagnosis and the severity of the curvature. Learn treatments for scoliosis and when surgery may be required.

One common myth regarding scoliosis is that you need to avoid any kind of physical activity. On the contrary, the more physically active you are, the less likely is for you to experience the pain. Scoliosis cannot be corrected permanently without surgery. However, exercise can help prevent its worsening.

What is scoliosis? Learn the causes and symptoms of scoliosis, how it affects the spine, and how it is treated.

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown.

Get information on causes of mild to severe lower back pain (arthritis, pregnancy, herniated disc, sciatica, ovarian cysts). Read about low back pain signs, symptoms, backache treatment, and diagnosis. Learn how to get relief from severe pain.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a hereditary disease that destroys lower motor neurons nerve-cells in the brain stem and spinal cord. Signs and symptoms depend on the type of spinal muscular atrophy, but may include hypotonia, tremors, impaired breathing, and abnormal gait. There is no cure for this muscular atrophy.

Kyphosis is an outward curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back). Kyphosis results in the appearance of a hunchback, which is accompanied by back pain, stiffness, and muscle fatigue in the back. There are three types of abnormal kyphosis: postural, Scheuermann's, and congenital kyphosis.

Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy generally present in the first year of life. Seizures, irritability, jitters, feeding and respiratory problems, and lethargy are common symptoms and signs. Learn about different types of cerebral palsy and treatment.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of disorders with signs and symptoms like joint hypermobility, skin laxity, easy bruising, and weak tissues. There are several types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and treatments.

Read about Noonan syndrome prognosis, symptoms, signs, genes, and more.

Read about the emotional and physical changes of puberty (growth spurt, pubic hair, period, zits, breast development), hormones (testosterone, estrogen), and sexual maturity stages.

Read about post-polio syndrome (PPS) symptoms like weakness, fatigue, muscle atrophy, joint pain, scoliosis, and more. Treatment information is included.

Campomelic dysplasia is a rare genetic condition that affects the bones and genitals, and may be life-threatening especially to newborns. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of campomelic dysplasia.

The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition in which the joints easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint. The condition tends to run in families. Symptoms of hypermobility syndrome include joint pain. People with hypermobility syndrome are more susceptible to injury, including dislocations and sprains. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help with joint pain. Exercise can strengthen muscles, providing stability.

What is radiculopathy? Radiculopathy comes from a compressed nerve in the spine causing pain and other symptoms. Learn about radiculopathy symptoms, treatment, causes, and more. Discover different regions affected by radiculopathy including the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine.

Cleft lip the fourth most common birth defect in the U.S. Get information about cleft lip and cleft palate causes, treatment, symptoms and signs, and related problems.

Periodic paralysis syndrome describes seven to eight different types of rare genetic conditions that cause symptoms of episodic muscle weakness and paralysis. Episodes of paralysis can occur in only certain areas of the body, like an arm or leg, or the whole body. Hypokalemic and normokalemic are two kinds of this genetic problem. Treatment depends upon the type. There is no cure for these syndromes.

Learn about Turner syndrome, an abnormality in the X chromosome of females that leaves them infertile. Symptoms also include a webbed neck, puffiness of the hands and feet, heart defects, and kidney problems. Facts about causes, diagnosis and treatments

Read about Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder, which symptoms include seizures, speech impairment, small head size, sleep disorders, movement and balance disorders, and hyperactivity.

Get the facts on the history of polio, an infectious disease that causes symptoms and signs such as paralysis and limb deformities. Also, read about prevention through vaccination, polio-like illness, contagious, and polio iron lung.

Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is most commonly caused by chromosome replication errors in which there are three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two. A baby born with Down syndrome may have symptoms and signs such as unusual facial features, low IQ, and difficulty learning to walk and crawl. Someone with Down syndrome may have a shorter life expectancy.

Learn about Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, an inherited neurological disorder affecting the peripheral nerves in the musculature. Symptoms include foot deformities, weakness of the lower leg and foot muscles, and difficulty walking, breathing, and swallowing.

Learn more about cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a genetic disorder that affects the development of the bones and teeth. Symptoms vary widely in severity.

Marfan syndrome is a familial (genetic, hereditary) condition affecting connective tissue of the body. Symptoms and characteristics include an arched palate (roof of the mouth), scoliosis, and flat feet. Problems with the eyes; cardiovascular and nervous system; skin; and lungs. Genetic testing and counseling are available for this syndrome.