Screening Your Children for Signs of Scoliosis

If you don’t trust your judgement or want a second opinion after checking your child, don’t hesitate to contact our practice.  As always, consultations are always of no charge.

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curve in the spine that, if not caught early, can become worse with age, cause significant back pain, and potentially lead to joint diseases in the spine. We want your children to grow healthy and strong, which is why it’s important to know the signs of scoliosis and check your kids around age eight.

Checking Your Kiddos

Checking your child’s spine for signs of scoliosis is possible at home and in our practice. If you’re opting for the at-home method, do the following:

1. Have your child bend over at the waist. Stand behind them and check the curve of the spine. This is called Adam’s test for scoliosis. The back should have a smooth curve. Also take a look at the rib cage on both sides as they bend forward. If you notice the rib cage bulging more on one side than the other, it may be a cause for concern.

2. Next, look at your child’s back while they are standing and check for any of the following:

• Is one shoulder higher than the other? They should be level.
• Is one hip higher than the other? They should be level.
• Does the spine look straight or curved? Curving sideways is a problem.

If you think you may be seeing signs of possible scoliosis in your child, we’d love to help! It’s important to remember that discovering scoliosis early can often lead to improved management and excellent outcomes.

Contact our practice today to book an appointment. As always, consultations with Dr Port are of no charge.