Signs and Symptoms of Scoliosis: An Overview
Many children are sent to the doctor by a school
scoliosis screening program. These children usually have no symptoms of scoliosis other than a very mild spinal curve that does not need treatment.
Common Scoliosis Symptoms
Common symptoms of scoliosis can include:
- Shoulders are at different heights
- Rib cages are at different heights
- The waist seems lopsided
- One or both shoulder blades stick out
- One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other
- Leaning to one side.
Severe curves (greater than 90 degrees) can cause severe symptoms that include:
- Heart or lung problems
- Pain
- Decreased self-image
- Premature death.
For children with scoliosis, pain is rarely a symptom. On the other hand, pain is a common symptom for adults with scoliosis.
In order to make a scoliosis diagnosis, doctors will ask you questions (medical history), perform a physical exam, and order a number of tests.
(Click Scoliosis Diagnosis for more information about diagnosing scoliosis.)