Hello, teens and parents! Today, let’s dive into how your pediatrician or primary care physician can use a scoliometer to screen for scoliosis. This simple yet effective tool is a game-changer in ensuring early detection and optimal spine health.
What is a Scoliometer?
A scoliometer is a device that your pediatrician might use during a routine checkup to measure the rotation of your back. It helps them identify potential signs of scoliosis at an early stage.
The Screening Process
The pediatrician will have your teen stand with their feet together and slowly bend forward to touch their toes. They will gently place the scoliometer on their back’s highest point and measure the degree of rotation.
If the scoliometer reading is higher than 5–7 degrees, further evaluation by a spine specialist, such as an orthopedic surgeon, is necessary. The specialist may conduct a more comprehensive examination, which may include X-rays or other imaging tests, to confirm the presence and severity of scoliosis.
Raising awareness about scoliosis screening with scoliometers helps more families catch this early. Share this post to empower others with knowledge, and thank your pediatrician for supporting your spine health.
About the Author
Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C is Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery, Director of Quality & Patient Safety, and Medical Director of the Spine Unit at Och Spine Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University. Board-certified in orthopaedic surgery, he completed three spine fellowships — combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spine (Cedars-Sinai), artificial disc replacement (Texas Back Institute), and complex spinal deformity (Columbia) — and specializes in scoliosis, kyphosis, complex revision and Harrington rod revision surgery, and motion-preserving and robotic-assisted spine surgery. He is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society. Read full bio →