Scoliosis Screening for School Children

Abstract

Scoliosis refers to the side-to-side or lateral curvature of the spine, which may cause both physical and cosmetic concerns. Around 80% or more of patients with the disorder have unknown etiology; of which around 80% have scoliosis manifested during adolescence. Scoliosis, if untreated, may progress and eventually require corrective but invasive spinal fusion surgery. Hence, scoliosis screening has been advocated for identifying adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) when non-invasive conservative treatment, such as bracing, can be applied; thus, minimizing the need for surgery. However, the United States Preventive Services Task Force first recommended neither support nor opposition for scoliosis screening in 1996, later changing the recommendation to against screening in 2004. Their main concerns were the lack of screening tests, lack of efficacious conservative treatments, and that most patients identified by screening will not progress to a clinically significant form of scoliosis.