Shriners Children’s pushes early scoliosis screenings for kids

Shriners Children’s is urging parents to get scoliosis screenings during National Scoliosis Awareness Month as children hit key growth years, warning that early detection can help avoid more invasive treatment later. The push comes as the condition often goes unnoticed until curves worsen and may require bracing or surgery.

Why it matters: - Scoliosis can go undetected during the years when treatment choices are most effective. - Early screening can help children get monitored sooner and may help them avoid major surgery later. - Severe curves can lead to chronic pain and breathing problems. - Mild curves may develop without pain, which makes routine checks especially important.

What happened: - Shriners Children’s is urging parents to prioritize scoliosis screenings and early evaluations during National Scoliosis Awareness Month. - The message centers on children in the key growth window, when scoliosis is commonly diagnosed between ages 10 and 15. - Scoliosis affects nearly 9 million Americans and is the most common spinal condition among school-aged children. - The condition is a sideways curvature of the spine that often forms an S or C shape.

The details: - Scoliosis is often found during routine pediatric visits or school screenings. - Curves greater than 45 degrees can cause chronic pain and breathing issues. - Curves under 25 degrees may grow slowly and remain unnoticed without specialized pediatric training. - Dr. Amer Samdani, a pediatric spine surgeon at Shriners Children’s, said timing helps determine whether a child needs monitoring, bracing or surgery. - Samdani said newer techniques can help some children avoid spinal fusion through options such as ApiFix and vertebral body tethering, or VBT. - Shriners Children’s physicians care for nearly 26,000 children with scoliosis each year. - Dr. Scott H. Kozin, the organization’s chief medical officer, said specialized care, access and innovation support better long-term outcomes. - Kozin said the team treats highly complex spinal cases and has helped some children return to high-intensity sports such as gymnastics and basketball. - Shriners Children’s provides care regardless of a family’s financial situation or insurance coverage. - Shriners Children’s also provides pediatric specialty care, innovative research and education programs for medical professionals. - Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care. - More information is available at Shriners Children’s.

Between the lines: - The core message is that scoliosis is not preventable, but progression can often be slowed or limited if doctors catch it early. - The emphasis on pediatric spine specialists suggests that general screenings may miss cases that need faster intervention. - The mention of advanced procedures signals that treatment is shifting toward approaches that preserve motion when possible. - The access message also underscores Shriners Children’s broader role as a safety-net provider for specialized pediatric care.

What's next: - Parents are being asked to watch for physical signs of scoliosis during growth years and seek evaluation if they notice asymmetry. - Families with concerns can use routine pediatric care or school screenings as the first step toward specialist evaluation. - Earlier diagnosis may increase the chance that monitoring or bracing can replace more invasive surgery.