How To Check for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a spinal abnormality that causes the spine to curve sideways. It is categorized into two based on the age at which it first shows up.

  • Pediatric Scoliosis – commonest, starts in childhood or teenage
  • Adult Scoliosis – starts after puberty

There are various checks for Scoliosis, but they eventually end with posture analysis. Posture analysis involves comparing a patient’s posture against a normal person’s. For example, your practitioner may take X-ray scans and compare them for signs of uneven hips, spine, or bones.

If you suspect to be suffering from Scoliosis, don’t wait until the condition escalates. At Elevation Spine Center, we examine our patients using the most advanced techniques and correct the abnormality using chiropractic techniques like Gonstead, Activator, and flexion distraction. Book an appointment or visit us today in Bend, OR, and we will examine and put you on a personalized care plan.

Physical Check for Scoliosis Symptoms

In a physical check, the doctor or chiropractor examines your hips, ribs, shoulders, and spine for:

  • Kyphosis- A spine that curves inward (forward curvature)
  • An elevation or hump in the rib cage
  • Lordosis- A spine that curves outward (backward curvature)
  • Prominent shoulder blade
  • Uneven waist or hips
  • A hip that juts forward

The doctor may also use an inclinometer or scoliometer for conditions where signs are not clear. These tools measure the degree of curvature in the spine by using pressure points on your body’s back or front side. All the results are displayed on a graph showing the spines’ curves at each point along its length. Your doctor will then compare these results with normal values from a healthy adult of your age group to determine the severity and type of Scoliosis.

Additionally, the doctor will measure your height and weight to determine if you’re growing normally. Knowing this information can also help rule out other causes of abnormal spinal curvature like skeletal dysplasia or cerebral palsy.

Diagnostic Medical Screening

Unlike physical screening, medical diagnosis for Scoliosis involves a more detailed examination of the spine using X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The doctor then compares the images with those of a normal person in the patient’s age group for practical analysis.

  • X-Ray Imaging

X-rays are diagnostic if they reveal Scoliosis and any associated conditions, such as spinal deformities or herniated disks. The doctor can also use X-ray imaging to help diagnose other conditions related to the spine, including stress fractures and bone tumors.

Patients diagnosed with Scoliosis may need more than one X-ray series. Usually, the baseline is set at age 13 or 14, with follow-up sets taken every two years until skeletal maturity is reached (usually at age 18).

  • MRI Scan

MRI Scan is done by placing high magnetic fields around the body to create images of the body’s internal organs, muscles, and bones. During the process, you’ll have to lie inside the MRI scanner and keep still for about 30 minutes, during which time doctors will take pictures of different parts of the spinal cord. The images are then processed by computer software so that the doctor can see if there is any deformity in the spinal cord and their severity.

Closing the Loop on Scoliosis Check at Elevation Spine Center

Wondering where to get professional checks and chiropractic treatment for Scoliosis? Reach out to our team at Elevation Spine Center in Bend, OR, for physical examination, medical screening, analysis, and treatment. We love to see you and your loved ones living a healthy life.

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