June is scoliosis awareness month

Join Medtronic patient Izzy Storey on June 29 to hear about her experience with scoliosis before, during, and after surgical treatment.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine.

Some curvature in the spine is normal — even necessary. When abnormal or exaggerated spinal curves develop, we call it scoliosis.

If scoliosis goes untreated, it could impact growth, development, and how the organs in the chest function.

Learn about scoliosis

Treatment can help.

Scoliosis is sometimes treated with observation or bracing. Sometimes corrective surgery is advised.

Read about treatment options

6-9 million
Americans are living with scoliosis.*

Girls are
10x more likely
to develop scoliosis than boys.*


10-15 years old
is the primary age to develop scoliosis.*

Meet Josephine

Josephine is Medtronic's scoliosis patient mascot. She's here to help patients and families like you navigate your scoliosis journey.

Hi, I'm Josephine! 

"I have scoliosis and I'm waiting for an operation to make it better. If you have scoliosis, or you know someone else who does, check out my handy guide to learn more about what scoliosis is, how doctors can treat it, and more!"

Download Josephine's Guide
josephine

Hear from patients who’ve been there.

Read their stories
Portrait of Kelsea, who had scoliosis surgery at age 10.

Kelsea

Kelsea was 8 years old when a curvature of her spine started restricting her lung development. She had surgery to straighten her spine with rods, screws, and donated tissue. Now Kelsey is a family therapist and does Crossfit.

Jamiah poses holding onto a lamppost on a city street.

Jamiah

Jamiah’s scoliosis took several evaluations before she was diagnosed. By then she needed surgery. She says it was physically and emotionally taxing, but found support from comforting. Now she is an advocate for other kids with scoliosis.

Rachael poses with a medal for completing a half marathon after her scoliosis surgery.

Rachael

Rachel knew she had a slight curvature as a teen but learned it had gotten much worse when she started having pain at age 22. She was excited to be the first patient ever treated with the Mazor™ X robotic guidance system. Now she’s back to work and almost totally pain-free. 

*

National Scoliosis Foundation, June 2007.