The Cobb angle

The primary criterion for evaluating scoliosis is the "Cobb angle", which is measured on an X-ray of the frontal spine.

It is the angle formed from the intersection of two tangential straight lines one with the upper plateau of the upper limit vertebra and the other with the lower plateau of the lower limit vertebra. Medical conventions require that an angle of less than 10 degrees is not considered a scoliosis in its own right.

The scoliotic curvatures can be classified according to their importance and the age of the patient:

1- Curves less than 10 degrees:
Benign scoliosis (no treatment required most of the time, except sometimes physiotherapy);

2- Curves between 15 and 35 degrees:
Medium scoliosis ("orthopedic" scoliosis)

3- Curves between 35 and 60 degrees:
Significant scoliosis ("surgical" scoliosis with correct or even good reduction potential)

4- Curves greater than 60 degrees:
Very large scoliosis ("surgical" scoliosis with satisfactory reduction potential, see correct).