Scoliosis is defined as a lateral curvature of the spine. In most cases, the scoliosis is idiopathic (80% of cases), meaning that it is not known what has caused the curvature to occur. Adolescents are the most common age group to have idiopathic scoliosis, and it usually begins between the ages of 10 and 14. While it occurs about equally in both boys and girls, girls are much more likely to have a progression of the curve that requires treatment. Still, only about 10% of children with scoliosis require corrective treatment (bracing or surgery). The rest (90%) will not require treatment and will have no long lasting effects or symptoms from the curve.