On a highway, all drivers pay attention to signs for an S-curve. When it comes to your growing child, an S-shaped curvature of the spine is a sign your child needs to be checked for scoliosis. Early detection is key to helping stop or manage that curve.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine that causes it to look like an “S” or “C” shape. In 80 percent of cases, the cause of this condition is unknown. Such cases are known as “idiopathic” scoliosis. The most common form is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), affecting 2 to 3 percent of children in the United States.
Spotting scoliosis
The onset of AIS typically occurs during the early adolescent years (ages 10 to 15). “Idiopathic scoliosis generally presents itself when children are going through a growth spurt, and most commonly is found in girls,” says Christopher Henderson, MD, with LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–Dickson City and LVPG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine–Montrose.
Pediatricians usually include a scoliosis screening as part of your child’s well visit. But it’s still a good idea to be aware of the condition and know what to look for as your child is growing. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to talk with your child’s doctor:
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Differences in shoulders, shoulder blade, or hip height or position
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Sides of the back appear different in height when bending forward
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Difference in how arms hang beside the body when standing
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One leg may be shorter than the other
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A rib hump may appear due to rotation of the spine and rib cage