Screening Ages—When and How Often Should Your Child Be Checked?

Parents often ask when their children should be checked for scoliosis, and how frequently. Because curves usually grow during growth spurts, timing matters. Early, age-appropriate screening can turn scoliosis from a late surprise into a well-managed condition.

Key Age Windows for Screening

Dorsi Spinal Institute recommends closer attention during three main growth windows:

• Early childhood (ages 4–7): rare, but important for spotting early-onset curves.
• Pre-puberty (ages 8–11): when some early idiopathic curves first appear.
• Puberty and teen years (ages 11–16): highest risk period for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

How Often to Screen

For children with no known risk factors, a brief check once a year between ages 8 and 16 is usually sufficient. For children with a family history of scoliosis or previous mild curve findings, more regular checks—every 6–12 months—may be advised.

School and GP Screening

School checks and GP visits can identify some curves, but coverage is inconsistent. That’s why Dorsi encourages families to learn simple home screening techniques as a safety net between professional exams.

What Screening Involves

Routine scoliosis screening is quick and non-invasive, focusing on:

• Visual inspection of posture and symmetry.
• The forward bend (Adams) test.
• Basic height and growth tracking.

Higher-Risk Children

Children with neuromuscular conditions, congenital spine anomalies, or strong family history often need earlier and more frequent monitoring. Dorsi provides bespoke screening schedules for these groups.

Next Steps

If you are unsure how often your child should be checked, Dorsi Spinal Institute can review their age, growth, and risk profile, then provide a simple, personalised screening timetable.

Related reading: see our blogs on home screening, family history, and mild curve progression.

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