Rhiannon was an active 14-year-old girl. When she occasionally complained to her parents about aches and pains in her back, there was no reason to think it was anything more sinister than sore muscles from one of her dance classes, or something she’d pulled while horse riding.
Scoliosis in children
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SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN AT HCA HEALTHCARE UK
Why choose us?
We know it can be worrying if your child has a spinal issue, and some cases of scoliosis can be more complex to treat than others. With HCA UK, you can be confident that your child will receive safe, tailored care from a dedicated team that includes some of the UK’s leading private spinal surgeons and physiotherapists.
Alongside comfortable wards, our modern facilities include a wide range of the latest imaging and diagnostic tools. For example, we’re UK’s first private hospital to install the weight bearing, low radiation x-ray scanner, EOSedge to provide images of your child's spine in a safer and more accurate way.
Alongside comfortable wards, our modern facilities include a wide range of the latest imaging and diagnostic tools. For example, we’re UK’s first private hospital to install the weight bearing, low radiation x-ray scanner, EOSedge to provide images of your child's spine in a safer and more accurate way.
Scoliosis is a pronounced curvature of the spine, significant enough that you might be able to see it when you look at your child from the front. Keep in mind that scoliosis is different to kyphosis, which is a spinal curvature that’s visible when viewed from the side.
Scoliosis can be managed and treated and mild scoliosis may not need any treatment at all.
Scoliosis in children occurs between the ages of 10 to 18 and twice as many girls develop it as boys. Most children with scoliosis are healthy and have no other medical problems.
A family history of scoliosis may increase the likelihood of your child developing the condition. Scoliosis can also have a congenital cause, with your child’s bones failing to form properly in the womb.
In some cases, scoliosis may be associated with other neuromuscular and genetic syndromes such as ataxia and Friedreich’s ataxia, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
Scoliosis can also appear early or late in a child's life and can be known as neonatal, infantile or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
A family history of scoliosis may increase the likelihood of your child developing the condition. Scoliosis can also have a congenital cause, with your child’s bones failing to form properly in the womb.
In some cases, scoliosis may be associated with other neuromuscular and genetic syndromes such as ataxia and Friedreich’s ataxia, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
Scoliosis can also appear early or late in a child's life and can be known as neonatal, infantile or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Scoliosis causes your child’s spine to curve, which can affect the alignment of their upper body. If your child has scoliosis, they’ll usually display one or more of the following physical symptoms:
- Their spine is visibly curved when viewed from the front
- They have a pronounced lean to one side
- Their shoulders are uneven
- One of their shoulders or hips sticks out
- Their ribs protrude on one side
- Their clothes don’t fit as well as they should
Scoliosis in children may also cause back pain, although this is more common in adults with the condition.
If you’re concerned that your child may have scoliosis, choosing the right specialist is key to making sure their diagnosis and treatment is managed in a way you can both feel comfortable with.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
1st
private hospital to install a low-radiation X-ray scanner
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for every year
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.
Treatment for complex conditions
Our complete breadth of expertise, focused on you.
Worried your child has scoliosis?
See a paediatric spinal specialist and get an expert diagnosis
Have a referral letter and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a specialist and get the clarity and fast pathway to treatment you need.
SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
Thorough, accurate and clear diagnosis
Your child will be diagnosed by a dedicated paediatric spinal consultant, starting with a simple physical examination. They’ll evaluate your child’s posture to see if their chest, shoulders or hips are uneven, or if one side of the rib cage is higher than the other when they bend forward. They’ll also look at your child’s medical and family history.
If they need to look at your child’s spine in more detail, your consultant may order:
- An X-ray to review images of tissue and bones
- An MRI scan to examine your child's spine in greater detail
- Blood tests
A specialist musculoskeletal radiologist will review the results which can help determine the severity of the curve and will discuss the most effective treatment pathway with your child’s spinal specialist.
SCOLIOSIS IN CHILDREN TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
A dedicated plan for your child
There’s a range of treatment options for scoliosis, depending on your child’s specific condition. You’ll be able to discuss those with your child’s consultant so you can agree on the best way forward for your child’s case, including:
- Non-surgical physiotherapy to help slow or prevent the curve’s progression
- Orthotic measures such as specialist insoles to help with posture
- A tailored bracing programme if their spinal curve is 25º- 40º
- Regular checkups every four to six months
More severe cases of scoliosis may require surgery. Our spinal operations are always led by two consultants to minimise complications and keep your child’s theatre time as short as possible. Our dedicated paediatric surgery team also offers combined speciality surgery with neurosurgical and vascular support, should it be required.
A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD
Join Abigail and Hannah touring The Portland
At HCA UK, creating a compassionate environment where your child feels at ease is one of our top priorities, helping to reduce any anxiety and aid your child’s recovery. We want your child to feel safe, and for you to be reassured that they’re being treated by expert teams you can trust.
Our highly experienced paediatric specialists, including leading consultants and surgeons, clinical nurse specialists and support staff, are always here for your child, putting their needs first and ensuring that they receive the best possible care.
Join Abigail and Hannah as they go on a treasure hunt around the Portland Hospital, taking a closer look at what the different departments offer.
Our highly experienced paediatric specialists, including leading consultants and surgeons, clinical nurse specialists and support staff, are always here for your child, putting their needs first and ensuring that they receive the best possible care.
Join Abigail and Hannah as they go on a treasure hunt around the Portland Hospital, taking a closer look at what the different departments offer.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
No, your child may not need surgery. However, if the sideways curve of their spine becomes pronounced, it can lead to increased pain and potentially start compressing their lungs, interfering with their breathing.
More severe scoliosis needs bracing to correct it and may also require your child to have surgery. Your paediatric spinal consultant will give you expert and specific advice, based on your child’s individual condition.
More severe scoliosis needs bracing to correct it and may also require your child to have surgery. Your paediatric spinal consultant will give you expert and specific advice, based on your child’s individual condition.
Yes, it can. Scoliosis is most often treated with specialist physiotherapy that involves strengthening and stretching exercises, sometimes combined with bracing too. Our multi-disciplinary teams are here to offer the specific personal care and individual support your child needs.
Yes, our specialists do see children with both conditions. Our highly experienced consultants have the expertise to accurately diagnose your child and successfully treat whichever condition, or combination of conditions, is present.
Our specialists are highly experienced at treating children with a wide range of spinal conditions, from the common to the complex. The Portland Hospital in London is the only private hospital dedicated to the care of children. It is also the home of the Spinal and Scoliosis Centre, which has dedicated facilities to diagnose and treat your child.
Our patients’ stories
Rhiannon’s courage: Recovering after scoliosis surgery
Julie's scoliosis journey
When Julie was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of seven, her case was already more complex than most.
Jack's Spinal Scoliosis story
Jack’s mother Jaime noticed his shoulder blades were slightly uneven in March 2020, at the start of the UK COVID-19 lockdown. After being faced with a long wait for a referral, a chance recommendation led Jaime to turn to The Portland Hospital. Here Jaime shares their story and explain why this surgery was so important.
“I was incredibly nervous leading up to this surgery but as soon as I walked into that hospital it just felt like everything was going to be alright.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.