Scoliosis: Is the Curve in Your Child's Spine Normal?

First published October 2016
Updated October 2025

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways into a “C” or “S” shape instead of remaining straight. A curve greater than 10 degrees on an X-ray is considered scoliosis. About 3% of the population has scoliosis, though most curves remain mild. Larger curves (greater than 30 degrees) are much less common, affecting only about 0.3% of people.

Often, what parents may notice as “scoliosis” turns out to be normal, spinal asymmetry or differences in leg length. But for some children, the curve may be significant enough to need treatment. Early recognition is key—here’s what you should know.

What Causes Scoliosis?

Most cases—around 80%—are idiopathic, meaning there’s no clear cause. Other cases may be linked to conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, congenital differences, or spinal cord injuries.

• Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type, occurring in healthy children and adolescents, with no obvious identifiable cause.
• Congenital scoliosis develops before birth when spinal bones (vertebra) form abnormally. It may also be associated with heart, kidney, or bladder differences.
• Syndromic scoliosis is spinal curvature associated with a syndrome or genetic disorder, often involving other parts of the body as well.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis develops due to underlying difference in brain, spinal cord, muscles, or nerves.
• In many cases, the first and only symptom is the curvature itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

Signs of scoliosis can be subtle. You may notice your child has:

• Uneven shoulders or shoulder blades
• A waistline that looks uneven
• One hip higher than the other
• A tendency to lean to one side when standing

While scoliosis does not typically cause back pain or discomfort, these symptoms may sometimes be present.

How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?

Evaluation by a specialist include physical examination and X-ray.

• Less than 10 degrees → spinal asymmetry (not scoliosis, no treatment needed)
• 10 degrees or more → scoliosis

Specialized low-dose EOS X-ray machines help in minimizing radiation dose to children needing X-rays.

When Does Scoliosis Develop?

Scoliosis can appear at any age, but it’s most often found during periods of rapid growth, especially in late childhood and adolescence.

• Mild scoliosis affects boys and girls equally.
• Girls, however, are more likely to develop curves that worsen and require treatment.

How Is Scoliosis Treated?

Treatment depends on your child’s age, the size of the curve, and how much growth remains.

• Mild cases: monitored with regular checkups (“watch and wait”).
• Moderate cases: if child is still growing, often treated with a custom brace to prevent the curve from worsening.
• Severe or progressive cases: may require surgery.

Treatment Options Available

• Observation: For children with milder curves, sometimes no treatment is needed, and “observation” may be recommended, with x-rays to assess scoliosis over time
• Bracing: Specialized custom, personalized bracing strategies with adherence sensor technology for children who are still growing and have moderate-range curves
• Scoliosis-specific physical therapy (Schroth): A highly specialized physical therapy program for some adolescents with mild to moderate-range scoliosis. Often used in conjunction with a bracing program
• Posterior spinal fusion: For severe-range scoliosis, a posterior spinal fusion will stop continued progression, or worsening, of scoliosis, and offer a durable correction of the curve
• Growing rods: Several types of growing rods exist for very young, skeletally immature children with severe scoliosis. These include magnetically controlled rods that lengthen as your child grows, adjusted in clinic without repeated surgeries.
• Vertebral body tethering (VBT): A motion-preserving alternative for certain skeletally immature patients with specific curve patterns that gradually corrects the curve as the child grows.

Can Scoliosis Be Prevented?

While there are treatment options available for when scoliosis is already present, there’s nothing parents can do to prevent scoliosis from happening. What matters most is early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to help minimize progression of the curve.

Children with scoliosis should still enjoy a full, active life. Sports, school, and family activities are all encouraged.

When to Seek Help

If you’re concerned about your child’s posture, shoulders, or spine alignment, talk with your pediatrician. If needed, a referral to a pediatric orthopedic specialist can be helpful.

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