Links:

Scoliosis-PubMed Health
Wikipedia-Scoliosis
Kidshealth-Scoliosis

Treatment:

* Observation:

Patients are observed when the curvature of the spine is minimal (between 20 and 30 degrees). Over this cutoff, scoliosis treatment becomes more aggressive. Patients are seen by a spine specialist about every six months until the skeletal is matured.

* Bracing:

Braces will help control any worsening of a spine curvature. They do little to correct any damaged that has been done. Bracing is most effective when the child is rapidly growing.  

* Surgery:

Surgery is often the best options for more severe curves. Depending on the site of the curve and the degree of curvature, the surgeon will fuse a metal rod along the spin.

Symptoms:

* Shoulders are different heights—one shoulder blade is more prominent than the other
* Head is not centered directly above the pelvis
* Appearance of a raised, prominent hip
* Rib cages are at different heights
* Uneven waist
* Changes in look or texture of skin overlying the spine (dimples, hairy patches, color changes)
* Leaning of entire body to one side
* Back pain