Does your teenager have adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)—an abnormal sideways curve in the spine that appears during the teenage years? Researchers from Frontiers in Pediatrics studied 25 teens with this condition and discovered something important: the muscles on either side of the curved spine don't stay balanced. They change in very different ways.
Using MRI imaging and X-rays, scientists examined the deep muscles that run along both sides of the spine and keep it stable. What they found reveals scoliosis is more complex than just a spine problem.
Muscles on the inside of the curve weaken and change
On the concave side—the inside of the curve—muscles showed fatty changes, became thinner, and appeared weaker, especially in lower back curves. Think of your teen's spine curved like the letter "C"; the muscles on the inside of that C are working very differently from those on the outside. The convex side (outside of the curve) maintained better thickness and strength. This muscle imbalance exists alongside the spine curve itself.
Muscle changes link to how severe the curve becomes
In upper back curves, the thicker muscles on the outside of the curve correlated with how severe the spine's three-dimensional twisting was. This connection suggests muscles and spine deformity are linked—not separate problems. When one side weakens, the other compensates, which can affect how the curve develops.
Treatment should address both spine and muscles
Whether your teen is being monitored, fitted for a brace, or considering surgery, this research shows rehabilitation needs to focus on rebalancing and strengthening muscles on both sides of the spine—not just correcting the curve itself. Currently, most treatment plans emphasise the spine; this study suggests muscle-focused care matters equally.
This finding is relevant for Singapore families, where school scoliosis screening is common. Knowing that muscle imbalances are part of AIS can help you ask better questions of your doctor and understand what recovery truly involves.
Supporting your teen's recovery
- Ask your doctor whether muscle-strengthening exercises should be part of your teen's treatment plan, regardless of whether they're being observed or braced.
- Request imaging reports that describe muscle changes, not just spine curves, so you understand the full picture of your teen's condition.
- Work with your doctor or physiotherapist to develop exercises targeting the weaker side, since one-sided muscle weakness is now known to accompany scoliosis.