Congenital Scoliosis Charlotte NC | Hemivertebrae, Associated Conditions, Care | Clear Life Scoliosis

By Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC · Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center, Charlotte, NC · Published November 06, 2026

Congenital scoliosis is a curve caused by vertebrae that formed abnormally before birth, such as a wedge-shaped half vertebra (hemivertebra) or vertebrae that failed to separate. It often comes with problems elsewhere. In 126 consecutive children with congenital spine deformity, Basu and colleagues found 37 percent had an abnormality inside the spinal canal, 26 percent had a heart defect, and 21 percent had a urinary or genital anomaly. Marks and Qaimkhani's review concludes that these curves can progress, that careful monitoring is essential, and that early intervention may be desirable.

I am Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC, at Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, NC. Congenital scoliosis is managed primarily by pediatric orthopedic and spine specialists. My role is recognizing it on films, making sure the screening is done, and supporting the child alongside that team.

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How Congenital Curves Form

Marks and Qaimkhani describe congenital vertebral anomalies as resulting from disturbed, asymmetric growth. Failures of formation produce wedge or half vertebrae; failures of segmentation produce bars that tether one side. A half vertebra on one side grows while the other side does not, so the curve can worsen as the child grows. The type and position of the anomaly shape the risk.

Why Every Child Needs Screening Beyond the Spine

Basu and colleagues examined 126 consecutive patients. Intraspinal abnormalities appeared in 37 percent and were more common with congenital kyphosis, mixed defects, and cervical or thoracic hemivertebrae. Other organ defects appeared in 55 percent: heart defects in 26 percent and urogenital anomalies in 21 percent. The authors concluded that MRI and echocardiography should be an essential part of evaluation. Given the 21 percent urogenital rate, I also ask whether the kidneys have been imaged; that is my clinical reasoning, not a stated recommendation of the study.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the anomaly and its growth potential. Observation with serial imaging fits some curves. Surgery fits others, sometimes early. Zarei and colleagues reported 23 children under 5 who had posterior hemivertebra resection and short fusion, with 74.8 percent correction of the main curve and three complications. Because the curve comes from bone shape, bracing and exercise do not correct the anomaly itself; they may have a role for compensatory curves. That last point is clinical reasoning.

How It Differs From Idiopathic Scoliosis

Idiopathic scoliosis has normally formed vertebrae and no known single cause. Congenital scoliosis has a visible structural cause on imaging. My post on what causes scoliosis compares idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular types, and my post on infantile scoliosis covers curves found in the youngest children.

How Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC Supports Children With Congenital Scoliosis at Clear Life

At our Charlotte office, any film suggesting a vertebral anomaly prompts referral to a pediatric spine specialist and confirmation that MRI and echocardiography have been done, with a question about kidney imaging. We provide supportive care for posture, mobility, and compensatory curves in coordination with that team.

Comparison

Research and Evidence

Evidence tiering: Basu is a consecutive case series with complete screening; Zarei a retrospective surgical series; Marks and Qaimkhani a narrative review. No randomized trials exist for congenital scoliosis treatment. The statement on bracing and exercise is clinical reasoning.

My own published work concerns idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. The labyrinthine righting reflex case report, Reduction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Utilizing the Labyrinthine Righting Reflex: A Case Report (Cureus, 2026, PMID 41685001), describes one adolescent and does not address congenital curves.

References

1. Basu PS, Elsebaie H, Noordeen MH. Congenital spinal deformity: a comprehensive assessment at presentation. Spine. 2002;27(20):2255-9. doi:10.1097/00007632-200210150-00014
2. Marks DS, Qaimkhani SA. The natural history of congenital scoliosis and kyphosis. Spine. 2009;34(17):1751-5. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181af1caf
3. Zarei M, Ghadimi E, Bagheri N, et al. Posterior hemivertebra resection and short-segment fusion with lateral mass screws in congenital scoliosis: a novel strategy for the resource-limited setting. J Orthop Surg Res. 2021;16(1):271. doi:10.1186/s13018-021-02419-0
4. Dick JM, Whelan J. Reduction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis utilizing the labyrinthine righting reflex: a case report. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e101343. doi:10.7759/cureus.101343

Frequently Asked Questions

Service Area

Clear Life Scoliosis and Chiropractic Center sees patients from Charlotte NC, Huntersville NC, Ballantyne NC, Matthews NC, Concord NC, Mooresville NC, Rock Hill SC, Fort Mill SC. Families from across the Charlotte region and the South Carolina border communities come to the Rachel Freeman Way office for radiographic scoliosis evaluation with Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC.

Related Pages

• What Causes Scoliosis
• Infantile Scoliosis
• Juvenile Scoliosis
• Types of Scoliosis
• Thoracic Scoliosis
• For Parents of Teens With Scoliosis
• Physician Referral
• Scoliosis Imaging and Measurement
• Scoliosis Care Program
• Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC Research

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If your child's films suggest a vertebral anomaly, the screening steps above come first. Dr. Justin M. Dick, DC helps coordinate them from our Charlotte office.

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