Screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

February 16, 2018|Family Practice News

The Bottom Line

Dr. Neil Skolnik (left) and Dr. Aarisha Shrestha

All organizations that weigh in on screening for scoliosis now agree on the benefits of bracing to slow curvature progression. They differ on the value they assign to avoiding surgery, to the effectiveness of screening programs in identifying scoliosis, and to the long-term effects of avoiding curvature progression.

Although the joint statement made by pediatric orthopedic societies and the American Academy of Pediatrics had recommended screening examinations, the USPSTF concluded that the current evidence is insufficient and that the balance of benefits and harms of screening for adolescent (aged 10-18 years) idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle greater than 10 degrees) cannot be determined, giving an “I” recommendation.

Dr. Aarisha Shrestha is a first-year resident in the family medicine residency program at Abington (Pa.) Jefferson Health. Dr. Skolnik is a professor of family and community medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington Jefferson Health.

References

1. US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2018;319(2):165–72.

2. HreskoMT et al. SRS/POSNA/AAOS/AAP position statement: Screening for the early detection for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. 2015. Accessed December 8, 2017.