Living with scoliosis: sport, school and follow-up

Follow-up also includes everyday life. Pain, comfort while wearing a brace, activities, sleep and the adolescent’s experience should all be discussed with the care team.

10Scoliosis in everyday life

Treatment fits into a child’s or adolescent’s life: school, sleep, friendships, activities and self-image. Difficulties wearing a brace, discomfort with clothing or worries about how others may react deserve to be heard. Talking about them helps the team find practical solutions.

Before an appointment, the young person can note what has changed, any pain, difficulties with treatment and their questions. They can also identify activities they would like to continue. This information complements measurements of the back and helps set clear goals with the care team.

Sources: F08.

Appointment preparation sheet

My questions for the appointment

Choose the topics you would like to discuss. Your list will help you prepare for the next appointment, for yourself or your child. You can print or download it.

Topics you would like to discuss

Growth and progression
Understand what is being monitored. Bracing
Clarify its purpose and how to use it. Sport and activities
Discuss activities and any adjustments needed. School
Prepare for the school day. Pain or discomfort
Know what to report and who to contact. Body image and feelings
Talk about how you feel.

No name or medical details are required. Your choices stay on this page; they are neither sent nor automatically saved.

No topics selected.

My list of questions

Select one or more topics to prepare your list.

These questions help start a conversation with the care team. Answers and care are tailored to each individual situation.

The interactive selection requires JavaScript. You can prepare for your appointment by noting the topics that interest you: growth, bracing, sport, school, pain, body image and feelings. Two useful questions to start with are: “What is the goal of my follow-up or treatment?” and “Who should I contact if a difficulty arises before my next appointment?”

Physical activity, school and wearing a brace

Idiopathic scoliosis alone is not a reason to prohibit asymmetric sports or weight-bearing activities. Choosing an enjoyable activity helps maintain an active life. Sport and scoliosis-specific exercises have different goals: playing sport is not a method for straightening the spine.

When a brace is prescribed, its wearing schedule is planned with the care team. Any adjustments needed for PE, leisure activities and school should be discussed; after surgery, return to activity follows the surgeon’s instructions. Activities and any difficulties can be described during the appointment.

At school

Describe what is difficult: sitting, changing rooms, other people’s reactions or organising appointments.

With a brace

Report pain, persistent redness or a sore to the doctor or orthotist so that the fit can be checked.

With other people

Choose who to talk to and ask for support if the appearance of your back or treatment becomes difficult to cope with.

Sources: F04, F08, E06.

Preparing for a follow-up appointment

Follow-up combines examination of the back, assessment of growth and information reported by the adolescent. It helps to mention symptoms, treatment difficulties and questions about usual activities. The adolescent can choose one or two important questions themselves, then add to them with their parents.

A new difficulty does not have to wait until the scheduled check-up: report unusual or persistent pain, a rapid change in the back or a problem with the brace. Weakness or difficulty walking requires prompt medical assessment.

Sources: F08, F05.

Frequently asked questions

Can sport and PE continue?

Idiopathic scoliosis alone does not justify stopping all sport. Any adjustments should be discussed with the care team, particularly if there is pain, a brace or recent surgery.

How can school days be organised when wearing a brace?

Talk about practical difficulties: sitting, changing clothes, taking part in PE or attending appointments. The care team can help the family and school find useful adjustments.

What should I do if the brace hurts or damages the skin?

Contact the doctor or orthotist to report pain, persistent redness or a sore. Avoid adjusting the brace yourself; checking its fit is part of treatment.

What should I prepare before a follow-up appointment?

Identify what has changed: symptoms, treatment difficulties, activities and questions. Bring any documents requested by the team. The interactive sheet helps you choose the topics you would like to discuss.

Sources and medical references

Sources accessed on 11 October 2026. Institutional guidance, patient information and scientific studies have different roles. French sources describe care in France; their titles below are translated for readability.

F08. Assurance Maladie — Scoliosis: medical follow-up and daily life (in French) — 2 December 2025 · Follow-up; daily life; wearing a brace.
F04. HAS — Focus: Physical activity, health conditions and diseases in children (in French) — Validated on 16 October 2025 · §6.3.3 Scoliosis, pp.25–26, particularly p.26.
F05. Reference Centre for Vertebral and Spinal Cord Malformations — PNDS: Early spinal deformities (in French) — September 2022 · §3.4.2, p.7, and management; document hosted but not validated by HAS.
E06. Romano M et al. Therapeutic exercises for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;CD007837..

Living with scoliosis: sport, school and wearing a brace