Medical History and Physical Exam for Scoliosis

A medical history for scoliosis includes gathering information about:

Age.
Age at first menstrual period.
Family history of scoliosis.
General health disorders.
The presence of heart or urinary tract problems at birth.
Past severe illnesses, operations, or injuries.

A physical exam to diagnose scoliosis includes:

Visually examining the back in several positions (such as standing straight and bending over).
Checking for birthmarks or other skin problems.
Examining the function of the brain and spinal cord and muscle strength.
Measuring height and weight.
Measuring leg lengths.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last Revised	July 21, 2011

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: July 21, 2011

Medical Review:

John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

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