Symptoms of Scoliosis in Kids

Possible Signs of Scoliosis in Children

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. More common in children than adults, this condition often develops during growth spurts just prior to puberty. You might think it would be easy to spot an abnormally curved spine. However, this isn't always the case. Since early treatment while the spine is still developing is important, here are some tips to keep in mind when looking for signs of scoliosis in kids.

Unbalanced Shoulders/Shoulder Blades

The human spine is designed to have some curves that are perfectly normal and necessary. However, if your child has scoliosis, an abnormal spinal curve might cause one shoulder blade to stick out more than the other one. You may also notice your child has one shoulder that sits higher while the shoulders are relaxed.

A Visible Spinal Lump or Bump

While the spine isn't perfectly straight, it shouldn’t produce a visible lump or bump on one side of the back. If this is what you’re seeing when your child is changing or swimming, consider it reason enough to schedule an evaluation for scoliosis.

Excessive Leaning to One Side

Some kids have poor posture that sometimes causes them to lean too much to one side or the other. However, if your child is involuntarily leaning to one side while standing, it could be due to an abnormal spinal curve that's throwing off his or her alignment.

A Gait that Doesn't Appear Natural

If a scoliosis curve gets to the point where it's affecting your child's spinal alignment, it could also impact the way he or she walks. Specifically, look for a hitch in your child’s walk or signs of difficulty walking or trying to stay balanced.

Diagnosis & Treatment

If you spot signs of scoliosis in your child, the first thing to do is get an official diagnosis. Your family physician may do an initial examination to look for physical signs of an abnormally curved spine. A referral may then be made to a spine specialist if further evaluation is needed. There’s no way to tell for sure if abnormal spinal curvature will get worse. However, it's not unusual for a curve to continue to progress over time without treatment.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating pediatric curvature disorders. Factors that determine treatment options include the extent of the curvature and whether your child has other spinal issues. If the abnormal curve is minimal, the only treatment recommended may be regular observation during routine exams and/or occasional image tests. Other children may benefit from:

• Wearing a soft or rigid brace
• Physical therapy to strengthen spine-supporting muscles to slow progression of the curve
• Surgery to restore proper spinal alignment if the curvature is severe

Kids are more likely to develop scoliosis between the ages of 10 and 16, so this is when you should be especially mindful of symptoms or signs suggesting your child may have this condition. Fortunately, many children respond well to bracing if the abnormal curvature is spotted and treated early enough.

If you suspect your child has scoliosis, make sure to seek the advice of an experienced Los Angeles spine surgeon. The pioneering spine specialists at The Spine Institute lead the field in diagnostic techniques and employing the most advanced treatments for every kind of spinal condition. Give our friendly staff a call today at 310-828-7757 to schedule a consultation.