How is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed?

Jumo Health

To diagnose adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, doctors do the following:

Ask the child and parents whether there were any problems when the child was born or whether he or she had any problems growing.
Look at the child's spine when it is in various positions. They look at how it bends and twists while the child moves around.
Do an x-ray, which takes a picture of the bones in the spine. An x-ray will show any curve in the spine and also how big the curve is.

Continue Learning about Scoliosis

Dr. Eldin E. Karaikovic, MD

It appears that this test is very useful. It predicts that one's curvature has higher or lower c...

Memorial Hospital of Tampa

Treatment for hip and leg pain from scoliosis begins with exercise and injections. Surgery may be co...

Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center

It is possible to develop scoliosis as an adult because of wear and tear on the spine.

Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL

The biggest goal in surgery for scoliosis is to stop the curve of the spine from getting worse.

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine -- a disorder that typically occurs just before puberty and is more common in girls. Schools and pediatricians screen for scoliosis; uneven shoulders or hips are often provide clues. If your child has a curvature, make sure you see your pediatrician regularly to monitor it. Scoliosis is sometimes temporary. Often, the curvature is mild enough that it doesn't require treatment. Doctors monitor scoliosis to determine if it's getting worse -- and for some this may mean wearing a brace or having surgery.

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