What is Scoliosis?

At The Oxford Scoliosis Clinic, we provide essential scoliosis support to children, teenagers, and families through comprehensive assessment and treatment using a specialized team approach. Understanding scoliosis is the first step in making informed decisions, so here is a clear guide to what scoliosis is and how it is treated.

Scoliosis is not simply a sideways bend but a three-dimensional (3D) deformity that involves bending and twisting of the spine. It most commonly develops during growth spurts between 10 and 16 years of age, although it can occur earlier or later.

Scoliosis is relatively common. In the UK, around 3 to 4 out of every 1,000 children are diagnosed with scoliosis that may need monitoring or treatment.

Scoliosis can sometimes be hard to spot in the early stages. These are some of the typical signs that may suggest a child should be checked by a professional:

▫ Sideways curvature of the spine

▫ Uneven shoulders: one shoulder may be higher than the other

▫ Uneven waist or hips: one side may look higher or more prominent

▫ A rotated torso or rib hump: especially visible when bending forward

▫ Leaning to one side

▫ Clothes that seem to fit unevenly

▫ Back pain: more common in adults or in more severe curves

If scoliosis is suspected, the first step is usually a clinical examination by a GP or specialist. They will look at posture and symmetry and often ask the child to bend forward so any asymmetry or rib prominence is more visible.

The diagnosis is typically confirmed by imaging:

▫ X-rays of the whole spine tell us how much the spine curves and rotates.

▫ The Cobb angle is used on X-rays to measure the severity of the curve.

▫ In some cases, MRI may be used for more detail.

At The Oxford Scoliosis Clinic, we offer a multidisciplinary approach so that every child and family receives care tailored to their needs. Depending on the age of the child and how much growth they have remaining, the size of the curve, and how fast it’s changing.