Scoliosis Symptoms
- Scoliosis Causes [1]
- Scoliosis Diagnosis [2]
- Scoliosis Treatment [3]
- Scoliosis Surgery [4]
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:
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One shoulder is higher than the other
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One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other
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One side of the rib cage appears higher than the other
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One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other
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The waist appears uneven
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The body tilts to one side
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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.
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