Practitioner Guide—Recognising & Referring Scoliosis in Primary Care
Primary care clinicians are often the first to spot scoliosis—or to be asked about uneven shoulders or back pain. Rapid, appropriate referral can dramatically influence outcomes.
Key Recognition Points
Primary care practitioners should be alert to:
- Visible asymmetry (shoulders, waist, ribs).
- Positive forward bend (Adams) test.
- Growth spurts and family history in adolescents.
Urgent vs Routine Referral
Urgent referral is warranted if:
- There are neurological red flags (weakness, bladder/bowel changes).
- Pain is severe, unexplained, or systemic signs are present.
Routine but timely referral is appropriate for suspected structural curves in growing children.
Working with Dorsi
Dorsi Spinal Institute offers clear referral pathways, rapid assessments, and detailed feedback to referrers, helping embed best practice in community settings.
Next Steps
Clinicians wanting clear, practical scoliosis recognition and referral guidelines can partner with Dorsi for protocols, teaching sessions, and case discussions.
Related reading: see our blogs on diagnosis processes, red flags, and practitioner education.
Written by
Dr Matthew ABJ Potts BSc MSc DC ISPRM
Clinical Director
Doctor of Chiropractic
Specialist Scoliosis Consultant
Fellow of the British Scoliosis Society
Member of the Scoliosis Association (UK)
Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board at Meloq AB
Member of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
Editorial board member of international journals CICRJ & Rehabilitation Science
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