Your Scoliosis Evaluation

If a school screening or your healthcare provider finds signs of scoliosis, you’ll visit an orthopedist for an evaluation. An orthopedist is a healthcare provider who treats bones and muscles. This visit helps figure out what treatment may be best for you.

During your evaluation

Your orthopedist may:

• Ask you about your health history, such as if you’ve ever had surgery

• Ask about your family health history, such as if someone in your family has scoliosis

• Take X-rays of your back to get a closer look at your spine

• Estimate how much more you are likely to grow. You may be asked if you've gotten your period yet.

• Examine your back while you’re standing up and bending over

• Measure the size, location, and pattern of the spinal curve

• Test how flexible your spine is, and how strong your back and neck muscles are

Why treat scoliosis?

A serious spinal curve that isn’t treated can get worse as you grow. Over time, it may cause problems. These can include:

• Back pain

• Arthritis in your back

• Your body looking twisted

• Clothes not fitting right

• Heart and breathing problems (rare)