The case for scoliosis screening in Australian adolescents

A survey of 3660 Year 10 students, with an average age of 15 years, was carried out in a random sample of Adelaide secondary schools to determine the prevalence of structural scoliosis and the need for implementing a programme of scoliosis screening. By means of the Forward Bending Test and a specially devised scoring system 144 (3.9%) children were found to have signs that were suggestive of scoliosis; all but 12 were assessed subsequently by standardized clinical and radiological examinations. One hundred and three children were found to have structural scoliosis of 5 degrees or more; this represented a prevalence of 3.1%. The prevalence in girls (4.3%) was significantly higher than in boys (1.9%), and girls tended to have more severe curves and require treatment more frequently. Only one third (34) of the cases of structural scoliosis had been detected before this survey; most (28) of these had been detected through an earlier, subsequently discontinued, school screening programme. This study concludes that screening for scoliosis by means of a scored Forward Bending Test should be carried out in South Australian schools for all students in Year 8 and for girls in Year 10. The policy of screening boys in Year 8 should be the subject of further research. An educational programme for health professionals, parents, students and physical education teachers should support the programme.