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Early Detection
Children of women who have scoliosis should be screened for scoliosis regularly throughout their late childhood and teen years.5
Screening for scoliosis in schools is recommended by some major health organizations, such as the Scoliosis Research Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics.6 However, theU.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine screening for idiopathic scoliosis in older children and teens who do not have any symptoms.7 Idiopathic scoliosis means that the spinal curve develops for unknown reasons. This is the most common type of scoliosis and usually is first noticed in late childhood.
Experts who support screening believe that early detection may lead to early treatment, which may stop the curve from getting worse. In some states, screening for scoliosis is required by law. Initial screening may be done at school. Follow-up screening may be done by the same health professional after a period of time or by your doctor.
Many children are referred for further evaluation who do not need it. Some researchers suggest adding other screening tests to the forward-bending test to make school screening more effective.
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