Scoliosis Symptoms

By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
October 7, 2007

Also see:
• Scoliosis Causes
• Scoliosis Diagnosis
• Scoliosis Treatment
• Scoliosis Surgery

In children and teenagers, scoliosis often does not have any noticeable symptoms. The scoliosis is often not noticeable until the curve has progressed significantly.

When viewed from the side, a healthy spine curves inward in the lower back (lordosis) and outward in the upper back (kyphosis). When viewed from the back, a spine with normal curves appears as a straight line down the back. A person with scoliosis, however, will appear to have a side-to-side curve in their spine because of a lateral, or sideways, curvature of the spine.

Scoliosis symptoms

There are several common physical symptoms that may indicate scoliosis. Any type of back pain is not usually considered a scoliosis symptom. Most typically, symptoms of scoliosis may include one or several of the following:

• One shoulder is higher than the other

• One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other

• One side of the rib cage appears higher than the other

• One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other

• The waist appears uneven

• The body tilts to one side

• One leg may appear shorter than the other

Pain is not a typical symptom of scoliosis. Back pain in a child or teen who has scoliosis may indicate another problem and the child should be evaluated by a pediatrician and/or spine specialist. If a child or teen has back pain and also has scoliosis, it is very important that he or she see a doctor to find out the cause of the pain, as it is probably something other than the scoliosis causing the back pain and may require treatment. Neurologic injury is also a very rare presenting symptom of scoliosis.

Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
October 7, 2007