How to Evaluate Scoliosis Curves

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. It can happen to people of any age, but is most common among children and adolescents. For every 1,000 children with the disorder, perhaps as few as three require treatment, according to the National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Scoliosis is ideopathic or from unknown causes in 80 to 85 percent of cases. In adolescent ideopathic scoliosis, the most common type, girls are more likely to be affected than boys.

Instructions

How to Evaluate Scoliosis Curves

• 1

  Determine if the curve is away from the middle, sideways or from front to back, giving a rounded-back appearance. The latter is a specific type of scoliosis called kyphosis.

• 2

  Observe whether the angle of the curve is more than 10 degrees by looking at spinal X-ray. Curves are often underestimated when observed through physical examination only.

• 3

  Pinpoint the location of the curve by finding the apex on the X-ray. This is the vertebra within the curve that is most off-center, for example if the vertebra is in the thoracic region, it is a thoracic (rib area) curve.

• 4

  Identify the type of curve from the following: thoracic, where 90 percent of the curves occur on the right side; lumbar, where 70 percent of the curves occur on the left side; thoracolumbar, where 80 percent of the curves occur on the right side; and double major where curves occur on both sides.

• 5

  Find the angle of the curve on the X-ray, then determine whether it is more C- or S- shaped in nature.