Functional scoliosis, also called nonstructural scoliosis, means you have an unnatural curve in your spine smaller than what’s traditionally needed to diagnose scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve in your spine. Your spine normally curves front to back, but sideways curves can cause biomechanical difficulties. In most cases, the underlying cause of scoliosis isn’t known.
With functional scoliosis, there’s no rotational abnormality in the spine, and the atypical curve is potentially correctable.
People with functional scoliosis often have a discrepancy in their leg lengths.
Read on to learn more about functional scoliosis, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Functional scoliosis causes
A discrepancy in leg lengths is often the underlying cause of functional scoliosis. Other potential causes include:
Who gets functional scoliosis?
Functional scoliosis appears to be common among people with a discrepancy in their leg lengths. This discrepancy can cause your pelvis to tilt to one side and lead to an unnatural curve in your spine to compensate.
Uneven leg length is common, with a difference of more than 1 centimeter (0.45 inches) potentially occurring in up to a third of people. Small discrepancies often don’t cause any difficulties.
Functional scoliosis symptoms
Functional scoliosis may not cause difficulties and may be discovered during an examination with a doctor or other health expert, such as a physiotherapist .
The sideways curve in the spine of people with functional scoliosis is smaller than the curve in people with other types of scoliosis. By definition, scoliosis requires a curve of more than 10 degrees for a diagnosis. People with functional scoliosis have a curve of less than 10 degrees .
Some of the signs of scoliosis can include:
- visibly curved spine
- leaning in one direction
- uneven shoulders
- ribs sticking out on one side
Potential complications of functional scoliosis
People with functional scoliosis have an asymmetry in their spine, and often through their pelvis. These asymmetries may put them at risk of developing musculoskeletal difficulties, such as:
- altered biomechanics
- muscular imbalances
- joint laxity
- excessive strain on spinal joints
- excessive strain on muscles, tendons, and bones
When to get medical help
It’s a good idea to see a doctor if you think you or your child may have scoliosis. A doctor can measure the angle of your spine to determine if it’s atypical and whether it requires treatment.
If your curve is mild, they may tell you that treatment isn’t needed.
How is functional scoliosis diagnosed?
The primary tests used to diagnose scoliosis are a physical exam and imaging.
During your physical exam, a medical professional will likely look for a difference in your leg lengths or other asymmetries in your body.
A standard test used during a physical exam is the Adam’s forward bend test . During this test, you’ll lean forward with your feet together and bend at the waist. A healthcare professional will then measure the deviation in your spine.
Imaging tests can confirm a diagnosis of scoliosis. These imaging tests might include:
Functional scoliosis treatment
Scoliosis may be treated with conservative options or surgery. Because functional scoliosis doesn’t involve a structural abnormality in your spine, treatment is almost always conservative. It might include:
- observation alone
- wearing back braces
- exercises
- orthotics to correct leg length difference
Functional scoliosis exercises
Exercises that target your trunk or help you improve your posture can potentially help treat functional scoliosis.
A healthcare professional may recommend exercises to help strengthen your core and back muscles to take stress off your spine. They might also recommend visiting a physiotherapist, who can create a custom exercise plan.
Learn more about exercises for scoliosis.
Living with functional scoliosis
People with functional scoliosis can often live typical lives without any long-term difficulties. It doesn’t tend to be progressive and is often correctable .
Can you prevent functional scoliosis?
The underlying cause of scoliosis often isn’t known, and it usually isn’t clear how to prevent it. Sometimes, scoliosis can develop over time due to wear and tear on your spine. Maintaining good exercise and health habits throughout your life may help lower stress on your spine as you age.
Frequently asked questions about functional scoliosis
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about functional scoliosis.
What’s the difference between functional scoliosis vs. structural scoliosis?
Functional scoliosis occurs when you have a mild sidewise curve in your spine without a structural abnormality. It’s potentially correctable. Structural scoliosis is caused by a structural abnormality in the spine that causes a larger sidewise curve.
How do I know if my scoliosis is functional or structural?
By definition, functional scoliosis causes a curve in your spine that’s smaller than 10 degrees . Structural scoliosis causes a curve larger than 10 degrees .
Is functional scoliosis a disability?
Functional scoliosis isn’t a disability by itself but might lead to complications like back pain, which may qualify as a disability. To qualify for disability benefits, you need to prove that your symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working.
Learn about when scoliosis is considered a disability.
How do you sleep with functional scoliosis?
Sleeping on your back is often recommended for people with scoliosis to keep the spine in a neutral position. Sleeping on the same side every night can contribute to imbalances in your trunk.
Takeaway
Functional scoliosis is a sideways curve in your spine not caused by a structural abnormality. A difference in leg lengths is often the underlying cause.
Functional scoliosis is almost always manageable with conservative treatment options such as bracing, exercises, and orthotics. Many people benefit from seeing a physiotherapist, who can develop a custom exercise program for you to help stretch and strengthen muscles around your spine.
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