Scoliosis+Screening


 * __ Scoliosis Screening __**



Scoliosis is a sideways or lateral and rotary curve of the spine. It is more common in girls than in boys and tends to run in families. Scoliosis is not rare, but many people do not know that they have scoliosis and are developing a curve. Scoliosis is often detected during the rapid growth spurt occuring around age eleven or twelve. For this reason, all students in CBSD undergo a scoliosis screening in the 6th and 7th grades. It is important to detect scoliosis before it is visible to the untrained eye.
 * __What is Scoliosis?__**

Scoliosis can be detected in a number of ways: - A family member may notice a high shoulder or hip, a protrusion on one side of the back or chest, difficulty in fitting slacks or an uneven hem. - During physical exams by a physician - During the State mandated school screening program in schools
 * __How is Scoliosis usually detected?__**

The annual screening program held in the schools is one of the best ways to detect scoliosis early. The **"Forward Bending Test"** is the maneuver used by School Nurses to detect scoliosis.
 * __What is done in the schools to detect Scoliosis?__**

The //Forward Bending Test// is a simple procedure performed by two Certified School Nurses who have the student standing between them so that one has a view from the front and the other has a view from behind. With the child standing tall, the Nurses assess: 1. Are the shoulders level? 2. Are the hips level? 3. Is one shoulder blade more prominent than the other? 4. Are there unequal distances between the arms and the body? 5. Does the spine appear curved? The student is then asked to bend forward: 6. Is there a prominent hump on one side of the back when the child is bending forward? The student is asked to turn to the side: 7. Are there any abnormal prominent curves noted in the shoulder (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar) areas?
 * __What is the "Forward Bending Test"?__**

State law requires that parents are notified when a detected prominence measures greater than 5 degrees as measured by a scoliometer. 5 degrees is considered to be very mild (no one has a perfectly straight spine), but only a doctor can determine if scoliosis is present. Parents will be notified in writing by the School Nurse if a physician's exam is recommended.
 * __How are parents notified of results?__**

Usually in March or April of each year, the Certified School Nurse of your child's school will work with a team of Nurses from CB to perform the screening during the PE classes. Parents are notified of the screening date in advance via a letter either sent or brought home by the student. Parents have the option of having their child "opt out" of the screening if they notify the School Nurse in writing prior to the screening date. The "opt out" option is only recommended if the student's private physician has performed the screening within the last six months or is actively following the student for scoliosis or other medical issues.
 * __When does the screening occur?__**