What is Cobb Angle?

What is Cobb Angle? What does it tell us? What it doesn't tell us?

Scoliosis can be measured by its Cobb Angle, which is a calculation of the degree of curvature that the spine moves in each curve.

A single-digit Cobb Angle isn't defined as a scoliosis diagnosis. Any degree of Cobb Angle over 10 degrees can be categorized into mild, moderate, or severe scoliosis. Having this knowledge is especially important during a growth period when monitoring and deciding the best treatment options.

Knowing your Cobb Angle isn't going to tell you how you feel or how you hold yourself up. Someone who has a large Cobb Angle may not experience any pain, and someone with a relatively small Cobb Angle may experience regular pain.

If you've had images taken of your spine, it's nice to know what your Cobb Angle is, but don't feel that you need to get them taken just for that calculation. Your physician will determine if imaging is needed based on your needs.

Again, a spine with 0-9 degrees of Cobb Angle is not considered to have scoliosis. The Cobb Angle of my largest curve was 78 degrees prior to having my spinal fusion, which is pretty far from straight-ish. However, many people have that Cobb Angle, or greater, and live an active life without having surgery.

Our Cobb Angle doesn't define us, it's just a number that may give guidance or be a reference point.