A scoliometer is an instrument that is used to estimate the amount of curve in a person's spine. It may be used as a tool during screening or as follow-up for scoliosis, a deformity in which the spine curves abnormally.
A scoliometer is similar to a level and is placed across the back at the peak (apex) of the curve. The amount of tilt in the back is estimated in degrees.
Doctors use X-ray images of the spine to diagnose scoliosis.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Medical Review: | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated: May 25, 2007 | |
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