Scoliosis is a common paediatric condition with a prevalence of up to 5%.¹ True scoliosis is three-dimensional, with rotation evident at the apex of the curve, and a Cobb angle >10°. Lateral curvature, from issues such as poor posture, muscle spasm or leg length discrepancy, can masquerade as scoliosis.² The cause of structural scoliosis, where rotation is present, is idiopathic in 75% of cases, neuromuscular (eg cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy) in 10% of cases, congenital (eg failure of formation or segmentation) in another 10% of cases and due to many other rare causes in 5% of cases.²

Idiopathic scoliosis most commonly occurs between the ages of 10 and 18 years. A typical adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patient is female with a convex right thoracic curve or convex left lumbar curve, right shoulder elevated, right rib prominence, no neurological deficits and no significant pain.² Although boys and girls are equally affected with small curves, curves >40° are sevenfold more frequent in girls.¹ Concerning curves include early onset scoliosis, premenarchal scoliosis with a curve >25° and skeletally mature patients with curves >50°.²

In 2018, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found no direct evidence on screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and health outcomes.³ There was also inadequate evidence on the association between reduction in spinal curvature in adolescence and long-term health outcomes in adulthood.³

Further information on scoliosis assessment and management can be found in the article Paediatric scoliosis: Update on assessment and treatment.

There are no specific recommendations and advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.