Your Child Failed a Scoliosis Screening: What Happens Next?
A positive scoliosis screening does not mean your child definitely has scoliosis. It means a curve was noticed during a physical check and needs to be confirmed with proper imaging. Many screening results turn out to be minor or resolve on their own. The next step is usually a GP referral or a confirmatory scan.
Key takeaways
- A screening flag is not a diagnosis. It is a prompt for further investigation.
- The Adams forward bend test and scoliometer give a rough indication, not a precise measurement.
- False positives are common, so try not to panic.
- Confirmatory imaging taken while your child stands upright gives the clearest picture.
- Early assessment means more options if treatment is needed later.
Getting a letter home from school saying your child's spine needs checking is unsettling. You want answers quickly, and you want them to be clear. This page walks you through exactly what the screening found, what it means, and what to do next.
What is a scoliosis screening test?
A scoliosis screening test is a quick physical check used to spot signs of a sideways curve in the spine. It is usually done at school or by a GP and takes just a few minutes. The most common method is the Adams forward bend test.
Your child bends forward at the waist with arms hanging down. The examiner looks along the back for any unevenness or a raised area on one side of the ribcage or lower back.
A small handheld device placed on the back while your child bends forward. It measures the angle of trunk rotation. A reading above a certain threshold triggers a referral.
The examiner looks for uneven shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, an uneven waistline, or a visible rib hump when viewed from behind.
These checks are designed to cast a wide net. They are good at picking up potential curves, but they are not a diagnosis on their own.
What does a positive scoliosis screening result actually mean?
A positive result means the examiner noticed enough asymmetry to suggest a spinal curve may be present. It does not confirm a diagnosis. Screening tools are deliberately sensitive, which means they flag many children who turn out not to have a significant curve. These are called false positives, and they are very common.
So if your child has been referred, it is understandable to worry, but the odds are in your favour. The purpose of the referral is simply to get a clearer picture.
What happens after your child is referred for a scoliosis check?
After a positive screening, the usual next step is a visit to your GP, who may then refer your child to a specialist or for imaging. Here is what the typical pathway looks like.
GP appointment
Your GP will examine your child's back, check the screening findings, and decide whether imaging or a specialist referral is needed.
Confirmatory imaging
An X-ray or standing scan of the whole spine gives a clear view of any curve and helps the specialist measure its size. Imaging taken while your child stands upright is the gold standard because the spine is loaded naturally.
Specialist review
An orthopaedic consultant or spinal specialist reviews the images, explains the findings, and recommends next steps. Many children only need monitoring over time.
Monitoring or action plan
Depending on the size and nature of the curve, the plan might be observation with repeat scans, physiotherapy, bracing, or very rarely, surgical referral.
NHS waiting times for specialist appointments can sometimes be lengthy. If you would prefer faster clarity, a private standing scan can give you the same confirmatory imaging without a long wait.
Want to skip the wait? ScanAlign offers paediatric imaging at ScanAlign with EOS low-dose standing scans, so your child can be assessed quickly and safely.
Book a free video consultationWhy does standing imaging give a better picture of scoliosis?
Standing imaging shows the spine exactly as it behaves under gravity, which is how your child lives, walks and sits every day. When someone lies down for a standard X-ray or MRI, the muscles relax, and a curve can appear smaller or different than it really is. A standing, weight-bearing scan reveals the true position.
Full spine, full picture. A standing EOS scan captures the entire skeleton from head to feet in one image, while your child stands naturally. This means the specialist can see not just the curve, but how the hips, pelvis and legs are compensating.
EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. For a growing child who may need repeat scans over the years, this lower dose really matters.
Only part of the picture. Lying-down imaging relaxes the muscles and removes gravity. The curve may look different from how it behaves in real life. The image also typically captures only part of the spine, so the specialist cannot see the full chain of compensation from pelvis to shoulders.
At ScanAlign, low dose standing imaging, EOS technology captures the full picture in a single, low-dose standing image. This gives your child's specialist the clearest possible starting point for any decisions about monitoring or treatment.
A note on MRI. EOS shows bones, joints and alignment brilliantly. If your child's specialist needs to look at soft tissue, the spinal cord, or nerves, MRI is usually the better tool. The two work well together, and your specialist will advise which is needed.
Should you get your child scanned privately after a school scoliosis check?
It depends on your situation. Here is a quick guide.
- Your child has been flagged at screening and you want fast clarity
- You are waiting for an NHS specialist appointment
- Your child is in a growth spurt and you want a baseline image
- You want a full standing image your specialist can use immediately
- Your child's screening was very borderline and the GP is not concerned
- Your child already has an NHS imaging appointment very soon
- There is no visible asymmetry or pain at all
If you are unsure, a free video consultation can help you decide whether imaging is the right next step. No pressure, just honest guidance.
Frequently asked questions about scoliosis screening
The Adams forward bend test is the most common scoliosis screening method. Your child bends forward at the waist with knees straight and arms dangling. The examiner looks along the spine from behind for any asymmetry, such as one side of the ribcage sitting higher than the other.
A scoliometer measures the angle of trunk rotation. The exact referral threshold can vary, but many screening programmes refer children whose reading is above a set level. Your GP or screening letter will confirm the figure that prompted the referral.
False positives are very common. Screening is designed to be sensitive, which means it catches potential curves but also flags many children who do not have a significant problem. Confirmatory imaging clears up any uncertainty.
No. At ScanAlign you can self-refer. You start with a free video consultation where a specialist radiographer reviews your child's situation and confirms whether imaging is appropriate.
Yes. EOS uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less. This makes it especially suitable for children who may need repeat imaging as they grow. Learn more about paediatric imaging at ScanAlign.
A screening test is a quick physical check designed to spot potential problems. A diagnostic scan, such as a standing X-ray or EOS image, produces a detailed picture that allows a specialist to measure a curve accurately and plan next steps.
Pricing details are available on our booking page. You can also ask about costs during your free video consultation.
When lying down, the muscles relax and gravity is removed. This can make a curve appear smaller than it really is. A standing scan shows the spine under its normal load, giving the most accurate picture of the curve as it exists in everyday life.
Yes. Curves can progress more quickly during periods of rapid growth, which is why timely assessment matters. If a curve is confirmed, the specialist can put a monitoring plan in place to track any changes.
Bring the screening letter or any notes from the school check, plus any previous X-rays or scan reports if you have them. Your child should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to change out of.
Get clarity for your child, without the wait
A free video consultation with a specialist radiographer can tell you whether imaging is the right next step. No referral needed, no obligation.
Book a free video consultationSources
- Scoliosis Research Society. "Screening for the Early Detection of Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents." SRS Position Statement, srs.org.
- NHS. "Scoliosis: Overview." NHS Conditions, nhs.uk.
- Illés, T. et al. "The EOS imaging system and its uses in daily orthopaedic practice." International Orthopaedics (SICOT), 2012; 36(7): 1325–1331.
Written by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer).
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.