Scoliosis: A Sideways Curve of the Spine

What it is

Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the backbone, or spine. The curve is often shaped like an S or a C.

• When: it's most common in late childhood and the early teens, when children grow fast.
• Who: girls are more likely to have it than boys, and it can run in families.

Signs

• Leaning to one side.
• Uneven shoulders and hips.

Sometimes it's easy to notice, but not always. Children may be screened for scoliosis at school or during a checkup.

Diagnosis

If there seems to be a problem, your doctor will use your medical and family history, a physical exam and imaging tests to make a diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends on your age, how much more you're likely to grow, how large the curve is, and whether it's temporary or permanent.

• Mild scoliosis: perhaps only checkups, to see whether the curve is getting worse.
• Otherwise: some people need to wear a brace or have surgery.

Sources

Based on "Scoliosis," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.