X-rays are taken to diagnose scoliosis. The x-rays show the amount of curvature and sometimes helps identify a cause. Your child's legs are measured to make sure they are the same length. The amount of curvature varies widely. However, the younger your child is when the curvature starts, the worse it is likely to become.
Girls tend to have more severe scoliosis than do boys.
A curvature in the upper back tends to get worse faster than one in the lower back. Some curvatures, if allowed to continue, can cause serious health problems or back pain later in life. If your child has a slight curvature, she just needs regular checkups by the doctor. If the curvature continues to get worse, your doctor may recommend braces and molded plastic shells called orthoses. Orthoses usually slow down further curving of the spine but do not correct the curvature that is already there.