Scoliosis is usually detected by your family doctor while performing a routine check-up. If necessary, it will be confirmed with an X-ray of your back.

   School screening, unfortunately, is not very common in most countries but it is the best way to detect scoliosis early. Usually, this is done using an instrument call a scoliometer, which is a simple angle finder or inclinometer that measures rotations of the spine/rib cage. A nurse, or other healthcare professional with special training, can check a child within two minutes using a scoliometer. It is simple to use and it is even possible for a parent to check their own child following some simple instructions.

   It is important to follow-up on the deformation evolution, especially during childhood. This surveillance must be done by an orthopaedic doctor through regular check-ups, every 3 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the curve, the age of the child and the family history. These check-ups include a physical examination and an X-ray, if necessary.

   Scoliosis is quantified by the measurement of the angle of your spine curvature on the X-ray. This is called the Cobb angle.

   General non-surgical treatment indications are: skeletally immature children with curves of 15º or more combined with either proven progression (5º or more in six months or less) or strong family history.

recognition of symptons
Should you recognise any of these possible symptoms, contact your family doctor.