An estimated 7 million Americans have scoliosis*—that’s why Luke Stikeleather, National Scoliosis Center (NCS) Founder and President says:
“It’s critical for parents and guardians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis in their children, as is the importance of early intervention. If undetected, scoliosis can cause noticeable changes in appearance, pain and lifelong health problems.”
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curvature of the spine greater than 10 degrees with observable three-dimensional prominence. It often appears during growth spurts in girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 15; however, scoliosis can affect infants, young children and adults.
The consequences of missing warning signs can be detrimental to children’s health. According to Luke Stikeleather, “It can mean the difference between a child wearing a brace versus a child having spinal fusion surgery.”
Since most public schools no longer perform scoliosis screenings, it is vital that parents monitor the signs of scoliosis in a timely manner and, where appropriate, communicate concerns to their physician. “When curves are identified at smaller values and we intervene effectively with bracing, we can have a very successful outcome,” says Luke Stikeleather.
The best ways to identify symptoms of scoliosis are to look for: uneven shoulders (one shoulder being higher than the other), uneven hips (with one resting higher than the other), or prominence or unevenness in the back when their child bends over.