Scoliosis is the lateral (toward the side) curve in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. Senior Maddie Gerber was diagnosed with Scoliosis earlier this year when her cousin noticed something wrong with her back.

“Hayley asked me about my back curve,” she said. “Seeing the curve in my back, mom decided I should go to the family doctor and be checked out.”

Gerber has Idiopathic Scoliosis, which is the most common type of Scoliosis. Idiopathic Scoliosis has no identifiable cause, although some think it may be inherited. To remedy the curve, the patient can either wear a back brace or if the curve is greater than forty degrees surgery is their best option.

“I have to wear a brace that tries to fix the curve by three degrees,” Gerber said. “I have to wear it for an hour longer each day than the day before. If it doesn’t help, I may need surgery.”

According to WebMD, approximately two to three percent of Americans at age 16 get Scoliosis. Girls are also more commonly affected than boys. Idiopathic Scoliosis may progress during the “growth spurt” years.

“It’s annoying having to wear a back brace to fix it,” Gerber said.