Pediatric Scoliosis

Pediatric Scoliosis Care at UVM Children's Hospital

Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves in a “C” or “S” shape. Although scoliosis can develop in anyone, it most commonly appears in children just before puberty.

As a parent, you want to keep your child in their best health so they can participate in all the activities they love. We share that goal. Our orthopedic specialists provide a range of noninvasive and surgical options to help your child grow up healthy and strong.

A medical provider checks a patient's spine.

Why Choose UVM Children's Hospital?

University of Vermont Children's Hospital is home to the most experienced orthopedic surgical team in northern New York and Vermont, with special training in pediatric spinal deformities. You have access to the region’s only experts who evaluate and manage pediatric spine conditions.

As one of the leading orthopedic programs in the region, we offer:

Team-based care: Spine surgeons and advanced practice providers (APPs) work together to evaluate children for pediatric scoliosis. Thanks to wide-reaching services across UVM Health, your child also has easy access to other subspecialists, such as geneticists, pediatric cardiologists or pediatric pulmonologists.
Extra support: Child Life specialists support children through hospitalizations and medical procedures with age-appropriate therapeutic play and calming techniques. If you wish, our team can also connect you with other families in similar situations to help you grow your support network.
Research emphasis: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physician-leaders are active researchers at the forefront of orthopedic care, presenting our research at national meetings.

Pediatric Scoliosis Symptoms

Scoliosis doesn’t usually cause any pain and may not be immediately obvious. But you may notice certain changes in your child’s back and spine development, such as:

Posture that leans to one side
Protruding shoulder blades
Uneven leg length, waist or shoulders

Golisano Children's Hospital

Child Life Program

Medical care can be overwhelming for children. Our Child Life Specialists help your child cope with stress, prepare for procedures and understand their care. These highly trained specialists offer your family support as you navigate our health system.

A child life specialist plays with a small child.

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Diagnosing Pediatric Scoliosis

Our specialists start by physically examining your child. They may ask your child to perform certain movements, such as bending forward, to get a closer look at their back muscles and spinal bones (vertebrae). They may also ask you about your child’s medical history and family history.

We use several tests to examine your child’s spine, including:

X-rays: Use low doses of radiation to create images of your child’s bones that show alignment in their spine
MRIs: Use magnets and radio waves to reveal your child’s soft tissues

Pediatric Scoliosis Treatment

Most children with scoliosis benefit from nonsurgical treatment. We only recommend surgery when we believe it’s the most effective option. Our team evaluates your child’s needs and creates a personalized care plan that may include:

Monitoring Pediatric Scoliosis

In most cases, scoliosis is mild and doesn’t require any formal treatment beyond monitoring. Your child sees our specialists a few times a year to get imaging tests and make sure the spine curvature isn’t worsening.

Bracing for Pediatric Scoliosis

Your child may need to wear a back brace to keep the spinal curvature from getting worse. We work with orthotists, specialists who create custom braces for children with scoliosis.

Surgery for Pediatric Scoliosis

Very rarely, children may need surgery to correct scoliosis. We may place rods or screws in the spine, or fuse your child’s bones to stabilize their spine and restore proper alignment. Our surgeons partner with multiple pediatric experts, including pediatric anesthesiologists, intensivists and hospitalists to perform these surgeries safely.