Do you suspect spinal deformity in your child? A cause for concern for parents, scoliosis is a relatively common orthopedic condition, affecting 1 to 3% of children and adolescents aged 10 to 16.
Between misconceptions and concrete solutions, Bloon offers you a complete guide to everything you need to know about scoliosis. Discover existing treatments and practical advice to support your child daily.
What is scoliosis?
Medical definition of scoliosis in children and adolescents
Scoliosis is a 3D deformation of the spine, most often appearing during childhood or adolescence. In addition to involving a rotation of the vertebrae on themselves, scoliosis presents a spinal curvature of at least 10 degrees.
Often described as S-shaped, scoliotic curvature is more like a spiral staircase.
In most cases, it is idiopathic scoliosis, meaning without a specific defined cause.
Difference between scoliosis and poor posture
Does your child or teenager not always stand straight? Does their back seem hunched? First and foremost, it's important to understand the difference between scoliosis and poor posture.
Scoliosis is a three-dimensional and permanent deformation of the spine. Although solutions exist to prevent, limit, and relieve scoliosis, the curvature cannot correct itself.
A scoliotic attitude is a temporary deviation of the spine. It can be caused by poor posture or by morphological asymmetry (muscle imbalance, leg length discrepancy, etc.). Correcting scoliotic attitude is possible with good posture or adapted rehabilitation.
Why does scoliosis appear during growth in adolescence?
The role of growth and puberty
Scoliosis in children and adolescents often manifests during puberty. It is during the pubertal growth spurt that the curvature worsens the most (between 10 and 13 years for girls and between 12 and 15 years for boys). As long as growth is not complete, the risk of scoliosis progression during puberty persists.
Hence the importance of screening for scoliosis during your child's growth.
Known risk factors
Even if the origin of idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown, certain factors increase the risk of developing scoliosis:
- Female sex: according to Ameli, girls are more affected than boys.
- Genetics: a family history of scoliosis (parents, siblings) increases the risk of also having a spinal deviation.
- Age and growth: scoliosis detected before puberty provides a fertile ground for aggravation. Bone immaturity, combined with a growth spurt, often leads to a rapid progression of the curvature.
- Pathologies: neuromuscular conditions or congenital malformations promote the appearance of scoliosis.
Who is most affected by scoliosis during puberty?
According to Le Quotidien du médecin, idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form, accounting for 80% of cases. It affects approximately 2% of adolescents, with a strong predominance in girls, who are 4 times more affected than boys.
Scoliosis screening and symptoms: how to spot it at home?
You are probably wondering: how do I know if my child has scoliosis? While it often goes unnoticed at first because it is painless, scoliosis can nevertheless be spotted by parents.
Parental checklist of visible signs
How to detect scoliosis in your child or teenager? Simply know the visible signs to watch out for:
- Shoulder asymmetry
- Unbalanced pelvis
- Prominent shoulder blade
- Uneven waist creases
- Off-center head or trunk
The combination of these symptoms suggests consulting a professional to diagnose possible scoliosis.
Adams test: a simple at-home examination
The Adams test is the reference spinal examination for detecting scoliosis in children.
It consists of having the child bend forward, feet together, legs straight, and arms extended towards the floor, to observe a rib hump.
If a hump appears at the level of the thorax or lower back, it means that there is indeed a rotation of the vertebrae and therefore scoliosis.
Does scoliosis cause pain?
Scoliosis symptoms in children or adolescents are often painless at first. Spinal deformity can therefore be discovered late, when pain sets in. Hence the importance of visual monitoring for early detection of scoliosis.
How is scoliosis diagnosed during childhood or adolescence?
Clinical examination
If, after the clinical examination (back observation), the doctor suspects scoliosis in the child, they will prescribe a full spinal X-ray. The spinal X-ray confirms the diagnosis of scoliosis and measures the angle of the curvature.
Now, EOS imaging technology is a frequently prescribed radiographic examination for children and adolescents because it is less irradiating than traditional X-rays.
The Cobb angle and the Risser test
The Cobb angle defines the severity of the scoliotic curvature. It is measured from the ends where the spinal deviation forms.
The Risser test helps anticipate the evolution of scoliosis in children or adolescents. This test defines bone maturity from a pelvic X-ray. The greater the remaining growth, the more likely the spinal deformity is to worsen.
How does scoliosis evolve during growth?
What worsens scoliosis?
Several factors can lead to significant progression of scoliosis in children or adolescents:
- The child's age at the time of diagnosis (bone maturity) and the remaining growth potential (Risser score)
- A significant curvature at diagnosis
- Lack of medical follow-up to slow down the deviation
The different degrees of scoliosis
Scoliosis is diagnosed when the angle of spinal deviation is greater than 10°.
Here is a summary of the degrees of curvature that illustrate the severity of scoliosis:
- Between 10° and 20°: mild adolescent scoliosis.
- From 20°: scoliosis is considered moderate.
- Beyond 40°, it is severe scoliosis.
How to assess the risk of worsening and when to worry?
Generally, the earlier scoliosis is detected, the greater the remaining growth and the more significant the risks of worsening.
It is indeed during the pubertal growth spurt that the spinal deviation is most likely to accelerate.
It is therefore recommended to perform a clinical or radiological check-up of an adolescent with scoliotic curvature every 6 months to monitor the deviation.
If the diagnosis reveals severe scoliosis, treatments must be implemented as soon as possible to limit its progression.
What are the treatments for scoliosis in children and adolescents?
Scoliosis treatments mainly depend on three factors:
- The Cobb angle (degree of curvature)
- The remaining growth potential (Risser test for bone maturity)
- The evolution of the deformity over time
Observation and physiotherapy for mild curvatures
In case of a mild curvature (less than 20°), physiotherapy is recommended, in addition to regular monitoring.
Physiotherapy alone does not stop the progression of scoliosis, but sessions with a physiotherapist can help to:
- Strengthen back muscles that support the spine
- Increase vertebral flexibility
- Improve posture
A 2025 meta-analysis grouping 19 clinical trials concluded that specific therapeutic exercises can limit the progression of curvature and relieve mild scoliosis. In cases of significant curvature, these exercises increase the effectiveness of the brace.
Orthopedic treatment with a brace
A scoliosis brace may be recommended if the curvature progresses rapidly or reaches 20°. The orthopedic brace is useful for limiting the progression of spinal deviation during a child's growth.
Long perceived as restrictive and uncomfortable, braces have fortunately benefited from numerous innovations in recent years. Nowadays, there are 3D braces, much lighter and more comfortable, thanks to digital modeling.
When is surgery (arthrodesis) considered?
In very rare cases, beyond a curvature of 40° or 45° and when scoliosis continues to progress despite orthopedic treatments, surgery may be recommended.
Vertebral arthrodesis is an operation that involves fixing metal rods to the vertebrae, so that they fuse and gradually realign the spine.
The psychological impact of scoliosis in adolescents
Body image and brace acceptance in middle/high school
Adolescence is already a period marked by numerous bodily and emotional changes. A visible back asymmetry or wearing a brace can become a real source of discomfort and anxiety for adolescents.
In full identity construction, young people can feel different and fear the judgment of others. Dressing as one wishes is sometimes more delicate when wearing a brace, which does not help to value one's self-image.
How to support your child?
Beyond orthopedic treatment, your child may need psychological support to get through this difficult period. A positive, encouraging, and reassuring attitude from parents is essential for your teenager to live with scoliosis with peace of mind.
Some tips for supporting your child during their scoliosis treatment:
- Involve them in treatment decisions, listen to them and allow them to discuss with doctors if they feel the need
- Appreciate their progress and encourage them for the future
- Maintain a normal life as much as possible and keep their usual activities (hobbies, sports, outings, etc.)
How to help a child with scoliosis in daily life?
Encourage movement throughout the day
Scoliosis in a child or adolescent should not prevent them from living, moving, and engaging in activities they enjoy. On the contrary, the challenge is to reduce sedentary behavior, as prolonged immobility promotes muscle tension and stiffness.
It is recommended to encourage your child to move more and to break up periods of sitting. Changing positions regularly when in class or at their desk makes seated work more comfortable.
Here are some good habits to adopt to incorporate more movement into your child's day:
- Walking to school, for example, and prioritizing walking or cycling as much as possible
- Limiting time spent sitting and in front of screens
- Using recess for walking and moving rather than sitting
Exercising with scoliosis
Exercise is not contraindicated for children and adolescents with scoliosis, except in cases of pain or specific doctor's instructions.
According to the Scoliosis Research Society, physical activity is even recommended for scoliosis, as it provides back muscle strengthening, which is beneficial for maintaining a strong trunk and supporting the spine.
Recommended sports activities for your child and adolescent
Scoliosis and sports are fully compatible. Dance, gymnastics, team sports, martial arts… a child or adolescent with scoliosis can participate in all sorts of activities. The important thing is to choose a sport they enjoy.
However, severe scoliosis, requiring a brace or surgery, may necessitate adaptations for sports practice.
Is swimming really beneficial for scoliosis?
Swimming is a good sport for the back. It engages all muscles, strengthens the back, and provides better spinal support without causing impact on the joints.
Nevertheless, swimming does not correct spinal deviation and should not be considered a specific treatment.
Set up an ergonomic workspace adapted to their body shape
Computers, homework, smartphones, video games... children and adolescents spend a lot of time sitting: 50% of their waking time for children and 75% for adolescents.
Inappropriate furniture can further encourage slouching and immobility, leading to fatigue and tension.
To limit sedentary behavior, it is necessary to set up an ergonomic workspace that offers your child both comfort and mobility:
- A desk appropriate for their size
- A chair adjusted to the correct height
- Dynamic seating such as the Bloon balance ball chair, which allows the child to make micro-movements to adjust their posture
- A computer screen placed at eye level
With adapted furniture, the child is more inclined to adopt a good posture.
Bloon balance ball chair: the solution for your teens' backs
Encourage movement and posture changes
The human body is made to move. Prolonged sitting in an immobile position is very restrictive, especially for growing children who are full of energy.
The important thing is to break immobility and move more during periods of sitting, even and especially in cases of scoliosis.
Active™ seating Bloon respects the child's natural need for movement and encourages them to change position.
Sitting on a Bloon balance ball chair, the child makes continuous micro-movements to adjust their balance. This dynamic seating allows them to:
- Swing their legs and shift their weight
- Tilt and rotate their pelvis
- Correct their posture and straighten their back
Strengthen their back without strain
The balance ball seat is beneficial for children or adolescents with scoliosis because:
- It requires engaging the abdominal muscles to maintain balance.
- It engages the deep back muscles that support the spine.
The balance ball chair is a good way to support muscle strengthening done during physical therapy sessions.
Develop better body awareness
Working on balance and proprioception is essential for good posture. A recent study found proprioceptive deficits and poorer postural stability in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
The balance ball seat stimulates the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Indeed, on this moving surface, the brain must constantly perceive information from the body and its movements to maintain good posture.
Conclusion
Supporting a child or adolescent with scoliosis does not mean forcing them to stay straight constantly.
The solution for scoliosis is rather to encourage them to move more to promote back muscle strengthening and gain flexibility.
In addition to appropriate medical monitoring, physical activity, regular breaks during sitting periods, and ergonomic furniture can help make your child's daily life more comfortable.
Adopting a Bloon balance ball chair is part of this logic of integrating more movement into their daily routine.
FAQ: Scoliosis in children and adolescents
How is scoliosis treated in children?
Scoliosis treatment depends on the severity of the curve and its early onset. In cases of mild to moderate scoliosis (curve angle greater than 10°), specific exercises, physical therapy, and bracing may be required. More severe forms (curve angle beyond 40°) sometimes require surgical intervention.
Can scoliosis be corrected?
No, structural scoliosis cannot be corrected. However, specific exercises and bracing can limit the progression of the curve and provide more comfort.
What is the cause of scoliosis?
In the majority of cases, scoliosis is idiopathic, meaning its origin is unknown. Contrary to popular belief, scoliosis in children or adolescents is not caused by bad posture, a heavy schoolbag, or playing sports.
When should one be concerned about scoliosis?
If you notice visible back asymmetry, a gibbosity (hump) when the child bends over, or a spinal curvature, a medical consultation is recommended to determine the necessary management.
When does scoliosis stop progressing in adolescents?
The progression of scoliosis in adolescents is most significant during growth spurts. The risk of progression considerably decreases once bone growth is complete, i.e., after puberty.
What are the 3 types of scoliosis?
Idiopathic scoliosis represents the majority of scoliosis cases in children and adolescents; its origin is unknown.
Secondary scoliosis is caused by a pathology (bone disease, malformation, or neuromuscular problem).
Degenerative scoliosis appears in adults. It is due to aging and wear and tear of the vertebral discs.
My teen slouches in their chair, are they at risk of scoliosis?
No, poor posture does not cause scoliosis. However, in the long term, it can lead to scoliotic attitude (temporary spinal deviation) and back pain if the posture is not rebalanced.
Is the weight of the schoolbag responsible for scoliosis?
No, carrying heavy loads does not cause scoliosis. Nevertheless, it can cause tension and pain. Hence the importance of choosing a lightweight schoolbag and carrying it on both shoulders for more comfort.
Can sitting for long periods worsen pain?
Yes, prolonged sitting promotes tension, stiffness, and can worsen pain.
Do screens impact adolescents' backs?
Prolonged use of screens in inappropriate and static positions can eventually lead to a scoliotic attitude.
What is the best sport for scoliosis?
While swimming has often been presented as "the ideal sport for scoliosis," all sports can be practiced by children and adolescents with spinal deviation. Adaptations are sometimes necessary in cases of bracing or surgical intervention.
Can a balance ball chair be used with an orthopedic brace?
If your child wears a brace, and there are no medical contraindications, it is possible to set up their workstation with a balance ball chair. Follow the doctor's recommendations for better effectiveness. The doctor will advise on the possible removal of the brace when sitting on the ball, as well as a maximum duration of use.