The signs of Scoliosis

There are several different signs to look for to help determine if you or someone you love has scoliosis. The entire body appears to be leaning to one side, Shoulders are different heights, one shoulder blade is more high up than the other, head is not centered directly above the pelvis, appearance of a raised prominent hip, rib cages are at different heights, uneven waist, changes in look or texture of skin overlaying the spine such as dimples, hairy patches, and color changes. When seen by the doctor there is a standard exam that doctors use and it’s called the Adam’s Forward Bend Test. For the test, patients will be asked to lean forward with his or her feet together and bend 90 degrees at the waist. The doctor can then see from this angle any abnormal spinal curvatures, but you cannot determine accurately the exact severity of the deformity. Once the doctor confirms that the patient has scoliosis with an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. The curve is then measured by the Cobb Method and is discussed in terms of degrees. A curve is considered significant if it is greater than 25 to 30 degrees. Curves exceeding 45 to 50 degrees are considered severe and often require more aggressive treatment.