- Fewer than half of states in the U.S. are legislated to screen for scoliosis in schools (1)
- It is recommended that females are screened at least twice at age 10 and 12 (grades 5 and 7) and males once, at age 13 or 14 (grades 8 or 9) (2)
- A standard exam used in schools and by pediatricians is the Adam’s Forward Bend Test, in which the patient leans forward with feet together and the spine is evaluated DIAGNOSIS
- The condition is confirmed by a physician using physical exams, spine x-rays, scoliometer (device measures trunk rotation) and MRI in certain circumstances
- The curve is measured by the Cobb angle method, in which lines are drawn over the x-ray of the spine to determine severity by number of degrees
Reprinted with permission from The National Scoliosis Foundation scoliosis.org
(1) Grivas TB, et al. SOSORT consensus paper:school screening for scoliosis.Where are we today? Scoliosis. 2008; 2:17. (2) Richards BS and Vitale MG. Screening for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents:An informational statement. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008; 90:195-8.
