Robert Lee, Consultant Spinal Surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, talks about problems with the joint that connects the pelvis to the spine

Lower back pain affects up to 90 percent of adults at some point in their life. Most of the time, this is simply a muscle strain that improves with rest and painkillers. Sometimes the symptoms are bad enough to warrant treatment by a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath. When back pain persists for a long period of time despite all these alternative treatments, then advice is sought from a specialist such as a spine surgeon. This is because there is often a structural problem with the spine which may be giving rise to these symptoms.

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine when viewed from the back or front. It is accompanied by a twisting of the body resulting in prominence of the ribs.

Typical signs include:

• A visibly curved spine
• One shoulder is higher than the other
• One shoulder or hip being more prominent than the other
• Clothes not hanging properly
• A prominent ribcage
• A difference in leg lengths