A study was performed to evaluate the presence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (IAS) and correlate DJD with biomechanic factors. The average age of the subjects was 19 years (range, 12-30). Osteophytes reflecting the presence of degenerative joint disease occurred in apophyseal and/or intervertebral joints of 74% of 100 subjects. Osteophytes were correlated with curve angle and apical rotation. Compression forces are of pathogenic significance in the localization of osteophytes in IAS. IAS can serve as a naturally occurring prototype for the study of the influence of biomechanic factors on the pathogenesis of DJD.