Is Scoliosis Serious?

In 2006 they checked me for scoliosis and I was ok, In 2007 i was checked again(in that year I was twelve) And supossedly the nurse said a had it.
1. Can scoliosis form so quickly!?!?
2. Is scoliosis serious?!?!

The nurse who said i had it also said something about L5 if that helps in any way....
PS: I'm waiting on my mom to get checked by a real doctor

1. Yes, scoliosis can form that quickly. It is most likely to develop during a teen's growth spurt.

2. Yes, scoliosis can be serious, depending on how great the curve is, its location, whether it is causing pain, whether it is squeezing your heart and/or lungs, etc.

As for that "L5" remark, each vertebra is assigned a name. The cervical spine has C1-C7, the thoracic spine has T1-T12, and the lumbar spine has L1-L5. The sacrum has S1-S5 but it is normal for these to be already fused. L5 puts your curve at the lower part of your back.

Some info that I've been replying to others:

If you have a curve that is giving you trouble, you will need to see a scoliosis specialist. Any doctor that doesn't have a scoliosis specialty doesn't have the expertise to treat scoliosis.

Any curve under 10 degrees is considered normal and probably isn't monitored.

Curves from 10-25 degrees are mild but should be monitored, especially if you're still growing.

Curves from 25-40 degrees are moderate with bracing possible. You will need monitoring, especially if you're still growing.

Surgery may be recommended if your curve doesn't respond to bracing. Bracing will do no good if you're through growing. The purpose of a brace isn't to make your curve better, but rather to keep the curve from becoming worse.

Curves greater than 45 degrees is major. Surgery may be recommended. This depends on many things, but whether you're done growing, whether your curve is increasing, whether your heart and lungs are in danger of being squeezed by your curve, whether you're in pain, quality of life, etc.

Unfortunately, nothing can *fix* scoliosis. Surgery can keep the curve from getting worse, and in most cases, will reduce the curve but most likely your spine won't be straight (unless you are very flexible in the area to be fused, then you might be lucky). There are cases where the surgery is less invasive than other cases, but having the usual posterior incision isn't too bad.

Chiropractors, message therapists, acupuncturists, etc., also can't fix scoliosis. These people adjust the soft, connective tissues and that may (or may not, you can't tell ahead of time) make you feel better, but remember, scoliosis is not a connective tissue disease. Your spine is growing curved.

how old you are, scoliosis is serious problem, but in the right expert, it can handle well.

yes scoliosis forms when you have your major growth spurt, the exact same thing happened to me: 11 fine, 12 and i'm in a brace. it depends on the degree of your curve, and your rissur number ( you could be anywhere from 1-3, idk) but since you are so young, the worst thing they could do is put you in a brace, and before you freak out, your curve has to be around 30 degrees, and its no big deal, i have mine on right now. but i hope that helps a bit!!