Many schools regularly conduct scoliosis screenings of students. These screenings usually occur during the middle school years. If your child receives a referral for scoliosis to a doctor based on the results of a school screening, here are some facts you should know:

• Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that makes the spine look more like an "S" or "C" than a straight "I".
• Scoliosis can cause the bones of the spine to turn (rotate) so that one shoulder, scapula (wingbone), or hip appears higher than the other.
• Scoliosis can run in families. However, the exact cause of most cases of scoliosis is not known (idiopathic).
• Scoliosis can occur at any age.
• Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis occurs after the age of 10. It is the most common type.
• Infantile scoliosis occurs in children less than 3 years old. It may result from abnormally shaped vertebrae at birth (congenital), various syndromes, neurologic disorders, or unknown reasons (idiopathic).
• Juvenile scoliosis occurs in children between the ages of 3 and 10 years old. It is not common.
• Scoliosis does not usually cause any pain.
• Small spinal curves occur with similar frequency in boys and girls, but girls are more likely to have a progressive scoliotic curve that will require treatment.

A medical diagnosis of scoliosis:

• Requires a thorough medical history to determine if any other problems may be causing the spine to curve.
• Includes a comprehensive physical examination. The doctor will ask your child to bend forward, which will show any deformities. He or she will also check for any limb-length discrepancies, abdominal muscle strain, or other potential causes.
• Is confirmed with an X-ray of the spine. The physician will measure the degree of the curve as shown on the X-ray. The type of treatment required depends on the kind and degree of the curve, the child's age, the number of remaining growth years until the child reaches skeletal maturity, and the type of scoliosis.

If left untreated, scoliosis exceeding 50° can be problematic in the long term. Progressive deterioration of the scoliotic curve can occur, which in some patients can lead to diminished lung capacity and the development of restrictive lung disease. Cosmetic concerns are significant to many patients. The incidence of back pain among patients with scoliosis approximates that of the general population.