VIDEO 12. Scoliosis Definition and Assessment I

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional rotational deformity of the spine in the sagittal, frontal, and horizontal planes.

The etiology of scoliosis can be uncertain, stemming from neurological, skeletal, trauma, joint, and connective tissue factors. In 80% of patients, the cause cannot be precisely identified, leading to the term idiopathic scoliosis. The most common type is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The prevalence of AIS in Turkey has been determined to be 2.3%, as similar in other countries. The prevalence in girls and boys is 3.07% and 1.49%, respectively. Therefore, screening programs are implemented for at-risk girls in some countries.

Both globally and in our country, school screening programs reveal that radiological confirmation cannot be performed in a significant portion of suspected cases and leaving many cases unassessed. In a prevalence study conducted in Turkey, the rate of radiological confirmation for suspected scoliosis cases was 98.8%.

The awareness results obtained during scoliosis screening are low. It is crucial to increase knowledge about scoliosis and raise awareness among parents to regularly check their children’s spines and consult a healthcare professional in case of suspicion. This responsibility extends to health planners, general practitioners, pediatricians, family doctors, and other specialists. Additionally, written and visual media should be utilized in this direction, and various activities should be organized to draw attention to the issue during the “World Scoliosis Awareness Month” in June.