A Scoliosis diagnosis is confirmed with a standing x-ray of the entire spine. The angle of the curve is called the Cobb angle. A straight spine has a curve of 0º; however, a spinal curve greater than 10º is diagnosed as scoliosis.
Between 0º and 10º is considered “postural asymmetry” which is not true scoliosis.
An X-ray from the side is used to determine thoracic kyphosis (or round back appearance) and the amount of lumbar lordosis (swayback).