What cause Scoliosis?

Answer 1

For the purpose of the discussion, I'll restrict the answer to Idiopathic Scoliosis as there are many types of scoliosis and the question did not specify which one. Idiopathic scoliosis, although named due to unknown causes, is now known to be genetic in origin. However, only one of the genes responsible for the condition has been identified to date and there may be environmental trigger mechanism which hasn't been identified. Generally, prevalent theory is that genetic prevalence makes one susceptible to the condition. Initially, hormonal imbalance is present and causes abnormal growth of the spine. One of the 5 growth centers of the spine will lag in growth rate and cause initial tilt. The tilting can cause additional loading on the lagging side inhibiting normal growth further. During growth spurt phase, while other growth centers are growing at a normal rate, inhibited growth center further lags causing more severe wedging of the vertebral bone.

Answer 2

Scoliosis is a descriptive term, not a disease.

There are many causes to scoliosis which include congenital, genetic, neuromuscular and limb length inequality.

Other causes for scoliosis include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and tumors. Over 80% of scoliosis cases, however, are idiopathic, which means that there is no known cause. Most idiopathic scoliosis cases are found in otherwise healthy people.