“How to tell if my child has scoliosis?” is a common question among doctors in pediatric physical therapy Dubai centers. Unusual curving of the spine often appears during the pre-teen years. You may think it’s nothing to worry about as long as the child isn’t in pain. But with scoliosis, back pain isn’t usually a symptom. Therefore, it can go unnoticed for many years in young patients. Many cases are not diagnosed until the child has gone through puberty and the curve becomes more noticeable. Thankfully, there are signs and symptoms that parents can look out for. The sooner someone is diagnosed with scoliosis, the sooner you can begin a treatment plan that can control or reverse its effects.
Having a family history of scoliosis is the first warning sign. If it runs in the family, then you should pay closer attention to your children’s growth and development. It is important for parents to ensure their children are receiving regular checkups so conditions like scoliosis can be diagnosed early. When a child turns 10 to 12 years old, they become more private, and parents are no longer involved in bathing or dressing them. While it’s a painless condition, your family doctor will likely notice it during a routine physical exam. Early intervention allows doctors to determine a tailored scoliosis treatment for kids to prevent a bigger curve from forming.
Here are other signs that parents should watch for:
- Uneven shoulders – There are several visual indicators that could suggest scoliosis. One of the most obvious is when one shoulder blade sticks out more or looks higher than the other when standing up straight. In children, this might get noticed when wearing dungarees or dresses and the straps appear uneven.
- Uneven waist and hips – Another visual indicator of scoliosis in children is when one hip is more pronounced and can’t be straightened. This happens because a curving spine can thrust the waist and hips out of alignment. The changes can be subtle but the lack of symmetry on the hips often appears before the spinal curve becomes noticeable.
- Abnormal posture – An uneven posture is certainly a reason to talk to your doctor or get a posture correction treatment in Dubai. Have your child wear a bathing suit, with their back to you. You should notice — head not centered directly over the hips, leaning to one side, prominent rib cage on one side, and uneven shoulders and hips.
- Ill-fitting clothes – Parents might notice their children’s clothes appearing ill-fitting or asymmetrical because of the changes in posture. For instance, the neckline may be off-center, a pant leg may hang lower than the other, or the hemline of a shirt may hang unevenly. The more severe the curve is, the harder it is to find clothes that fit.
If you suspect your child has scoliosis, consult with your pediatrician right away. Your child will likely undergo a “forward bend” test. With the child standing up straight, the doctor will instruct to bend down at the waist, bringing the forehead into the belly button. If there are signs of scoliosis, an x-ray will be ordered to measure the curvature and determine the severity. A child who has a larger curve at a young age faces a greater risk or curvature progression. But don’t fret, if there is proper diagnosis, proper treatment follows. Scoliosis does not need to be detrimental to your child’s health and well-being.
If you have questions about congenital scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, or other types of this condition, the experts of NorAlign Functional Rehabilitation Center can provide you with helpful information. We specialize in treating scoliosis and spine curvature disorders, using evidenced based treatment approaches to give you the freedom of movement you deserve. To book an appointment, contact us +971 4 340 0017 today!