Deformity

Scoliosis

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

Uneven ribs and shoulder imbalance may be the first noticeable signs of scoliosis. The diagnosis of scoliosis is based upon X-ray of the spine.

If a person with scoliosis is suspected of having an underlying disease, other tests may be necessary. Symptoms of possible underlying diseases include:

• Significant pain
• Colored markings
• A hairy patch on the skin
• A deformity of the foot

Certain types of scoliosis also are associated with other diseases, such as kidney disease. In addition to having an X-ray, other tests may be done to check for signs of underlying diseases, such as an ultrasound to look for kidney disease and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look for an abnormality of the nervous system.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007