Scoliosis Signs & Symptoms

There may be signs and symptoms present that will help identify childhood scoliosis. Signs consist of things that other people, such as a parent or doctor, observe. Symptoms are things that the child feels and expresses.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE FOLLOWING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS MAY INDICATE THAT A CHILD HAS SCOLIOSIS:

• The child leans to one side.
• Clothing does not hang correctly and evenly on both sides.
• Head is not centered directly above the pelvis.
• One shoulder blade is more prominent and higher than the other when viewed from the back.
• One shoulder is higher than the other when viewed from the front or back.
• Ribs on one side are higher than on the other side.
• One hip sticks out more than the other.
• One hip is higher than the other.
• One leg seems longer than the other.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain (severe cases).

WHEN SCOLIOSIS OCCURS IN BABIES, ADDITIONAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

• When laying down, the baby’s body may consistently curve to one side.
• A bulge on one side of the chest.