Adolescent screening for orthopedic problems in high school.
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness of orthopedic screening programs for school-age children are still controversial. We conducted a prospective study in order to determine the frequency of undiagnosed orthopedic problems in an adolescent population.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of undiagnosed orthopedic problems in an adolescent population discovered through routine physical examinations carried out by a general pediatrician in a school clinic.


METHODS
We examined 2380 adolescents attending a public high school over a 5 y period in order to determine the frequency of undiagnosed orthopedic abnormalities in this age group.


RESULTS
Previously undiagnosed orthopedic findings, especially spinal deformities were found in 14.8%. Scoliosis was detected in 1.6% of the entire group with a threefold predominance of girls over boys. Few cases were progressive and needed surgery. Extra spinal orthopedic findings were found in 2.9% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening programs can identify previously undetected orthopedic abnormalities in the school-age population. We conclude that screening programs for school age children coupled with subsequent follow-up procedures are worthwhile.
Nussinovitch
M
M
Department of Pediatrics 'C', Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikvah, Israel.
Finkelstein
Y
Y
Amir
J
J
Greenbaum
E
E
Volovitz
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009985:Orthopedics; D010372:Pediatrics; D010808:Physical Examination; D012572:School Health Services; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000453:epidemiology