Scoliosis can affect the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar portions of the spine.
In people with a straight spine, the column is generally located at the midline area.
Scoliosis symptoms, based on postural changes, point toward the diagnosis.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Levoscoliosis refers to a spinal curvature that bows out to the left.
In a similar way, dextroscoliosis symptoms are based on spinal curvature to the right.
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Levoscoliosis can appear as if a person is deliberately bending.
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In this instance of levoscoliosis, the curve is in the lower back.
However, every case of scoliosis deserves a thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause.
Issues like the age of scoliosis onset and other underlying medical conditions should help guide additional testing.
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It also will help to determine appropriate treatment, such as surgery.
Is Levoscoliosis Curable?
Levoscoliosis treatment depends on the severity of the curvature and associated symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.
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It also will depend on if and how the levoscoliosis worsens.
Observation, orthopedic bracing, and surgery are among the treatment options, depending on the specific case.
Most of the time, dextroscoliosis occurs in the thoracic spine.
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In the X-ray above, there is an area of dextroscoliosis and an area of levoscoliosis.
In most cases (about 85%) the cause is unknown.These are diagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis.
There also are rare genetic causes.
Scoliosis may be linked to another condition as well, more often with a diagnosis of levoscoliosis.
Yes, it is possible to have more than one spinal curve with scoliosis.
Dextrocoliosis is more common in the midback and levoscoliosis is more likely in the upper spine.
If scoliosis worsens, the spine may press on nearby nerves.
This can cause weakness and/or numbness in the legs, and changes in gait and balance.
It’s possible in rare cases for breathing problems to occur because of more severe skeletal changes.
Shakil H, Iqbal ZA, Al-Ghadir AH.
Scoliosis: Review of types of curves, etiological theories and conservative treatment.BMR.
J Craniovertebr Junction Spine.
2014;89(3):193-8.
