Examination and diagnosis The first step is to take a detailed medical history and recent growth. During the physical examination, the doctor may have your child stand and then bend forward with arms naturally down to see if one side of the rib cage in the back is more prominent than the other. The doctor may also perform a neurological exam, which includes: 1) muscle strength 2) skin sensation 3) abnormal tendon reflexes or pathological reflexes Imaging Plain X-rays can confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and show the severity of the scoliosis. If the doctor suspects other conditions (e.g., tumors, spinal nerve abnormalities) are causing the scoliosis, additional imaging tests such as CT or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be recommended. Treatment Most children with scoliosis present with only a slight curve and may not require bracing or surgery. Children with mild scoliosis require physical exams every four to six months to observe any changes in their lateral curvature. Although guidelines for the treatment of scoliosis have now been developed by the spine surgery community, the decision on how to treat is always based on the patient’s own condition. Factors for doctors to consider include: 1. Gender: Women are at higher risk of scoliosis progression than men. 2, the severity of the scoliosis: over time, out of the diagnosis is the greater the degree of scoliosis is more likely to progress. 3, curve type: double curves, also known as S-shaped curves, tend to deteriorate more easily than C-shaped curves. 4, the location of the curve: curves located in the center (thoracic) part of the spine tend to deteriorate more easily than curves in the upper or lower part of the spine. 5. Developmental maturity: If the child’s bones have stopped growing, the curve is at lower risk of progression Surgical treatment Severe scoliosis is usually progressive, so your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the scoliosis and prevent it from getting worse. The most common types of scoliosis surgery are spinal orthopedic, internal fixation, and implant fusion. In internal fixation and fusion of the spine, the surgeon can achieve correction of the deformity through the mechanics of surgical instruments or the amputation of vertebral bone; internal fixation including metal rods, hooks, screws, etc. ensures biomechanical stability of the spine; and through local bone grafting, the surgeon fuses the vertebrae (vertebrae) that need to be orthopedic together to ensure that there is no movement between the vertebrae of the spine after surgery. In the case of scoliosis that deteriorates rapidly during the period of skeletal growth, the surgeon can install growth rods that can be adjusted periodically as the child grows.