Because most children and teens do not have symptoms, doctors may diagnosis scoliosis during a routine exam. Your child’s doctor may diagnose scoliosis by:

• Taking a medical history and family history, which may include asking about other medical problems that might be causing the curve in the spine.
• Completing a physical examination to evaluate your child’s posture and look for asymmetry in the trunk or shoulders, or if one side of the rib cage is higher than the other when your child bends forward.
• Taking x-rays. This is the most common test that doctors use to diagnose the disorder. An x-ray can evaluate and measure the curve of the spine. This information helps the doctor determine the severity of the curve and possible treatments.

Treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis may involve observation, bracing and/or surgery. Treatment recommendations are generally dependent upon the risk of curve progression. Curves progress most during the rapid growth period of the patient (adolescent or pre-adolescent growth spurt). The potential for growth is evaluated by taking into consideration the patient's age, the status of whether females have had their first menstrual period, and radiographic parameters (x-ray studies).