J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1980 Mar;15(1):1-6. 10.4055/jkoa.1980.15.1.1.

The Incidence of Scoliosis in Korea Part III: The Incidence of Scoliosis in the Middle and High School Students

• Suk SI
• Choi IH
• Ahn JW
• Kim IK

• KMID: 2450553
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1980.15.1.1

Abstract

Great strides has been made in the past 20 years in the treatment of scoliosis. Treatment before scoliosis becomes severe eliminates the need for extensive surgery. Early detection of scoliosis by school screening has proven to be valuable for early diagnosis and prevention of severe deformities. Authors screened 5,256 middle and high school students in Seoul, who were chosen arbitrarily, to determine the incidence rates of scoliosis, and following results were obtained. 1. Scoliosis was diagnosed on a combination of at least one positive physical sign and a lateral curvature more than 5 degrees on an antero-posterior standing X-ray. 2. The overall incidence of scoliosis was 4.68% (Male 0.74%, Female 6.43%). 3. Idiopathic scoliosis was found in 238 students, congenital scoliosis in 5, and paralytic scoliosis in 3. 4. The most common pattern of curvature was thoracic curve. 5. In the single curve right to left ratio was 2.1, but 8.4 in the upper curve of double curve. 6. Close observations were required for all the 246 students and treatment was required in 14 students who had more than 20 degrees, 9 students for Milwaukee brace, and 5 students for surgical correction.

MeSH Terms

Braces
Congenital Abnormalities
Early Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Incidence*
Korea*
Mass Screening
Scoliosis*
Seoul