Symptoms of Scoliosis

A Woman With Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often diagnosed during a routine well-child checkup. A child with scoliosis may not yet have any symptoms. More severe degrees of curvature may cause noticeable symptoms, such as:

Uneven shoulder blades
Uneven hip bones
Prominent shoulder blades or ribs on one side
Uneven waist
Appearance of leaning to one side
Back pain
Muscle fatigue after sitting for a long time

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aaos.org.

Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 10th ed. Mosby; 2003.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov.

Scoliosis Research Society website. Available at: http://www.srs.org.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
Review Date: 09/2012
Update Date: 00/92/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.