Back Clinic Screening Tests. Screening tests are typically the first assessment completed and are used to determine if further diagnostic testing might be needed. Because screening tests are the first step towards diagnosis, they are designed to be more likely to overestimate the true incidence of a disease. Designed to be different from diagnostic tests in that they might demonstrate more positive results than a diagnostic test.
This can lead to both true positives as well as false positives. Once a screening test is found to be positive, a diagnostic test is then completed to confirm the diagnosis. Next, we will discuss the assessment of diagnostic tests. Many screening tests are available for physicians and advanced chiropractic practitioners to utilize in their practice. For some tests, there is quite a bit of research demonstrating the benefit of such tests on early diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Alex Jimenez presents appropriate assessment and diagnostic tools used in the office to further clarify and appropriated diagnostic assessments.
Can the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire help assess how low back pain impacts individuals’ ability to perform everyday tasks and activities and help physical therapists incorporate the outcome measure into an effective treatment plan?
Oswestry Disability Questionnaire
The Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, also known as the Oswestry Disability Index, provides objective data about an individual’s lower back pain. It determines the severity of the pain and how much it limits their daily activities. The questionnaire is a validated measure backed by research that can be used to justify the need for medical treatment. It includes questions regarding the symptoms and severity of low back pain and how these symptoms interfere with regular activities. Lower back pain can result from various causes (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2020)
Arthritis, including inflammatory types of arthritis like psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Lumbar vertebrae compression fractures – usually from trauma or osteoporosis.
Low back surgery – including spinal fusions, discectomies, and laminectomies.
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Scoliosis
How The Questionnaire Works
The Oswestry Disability Questionnaire consists of 10 questions about the impact of lower back pain on daily life. The questions are divided into the following categories: (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, N.D.)
Pain Intensity
How intense is the pain?
If painkillers are used, how much symptom relief do they provide?
Personal Care
Can the patient perform self-care activities like bathing and dressing when experiencing significant pain or limitations?
Whether physical assistance from another person is needed?
Lifting
Can the patient lift objects like weights with or without pain?
Can lifting be performed from the floor or a higher surface like a table if the objects are light, moderate, or heavy?
Walking
If and to what extent does the pain limit the patient’s walking distance and independence?
If an assistive device like a cane or crutches are needed?
Sitting
If so, how much pain limits the patient’s sitting tolerance?
Standing
If so, how much pain limits the patient’s standing tolerance?
Sleeping
If so, how much pain limits a patient’s sleeping duration?
Whether pain medication is needed to help the patient sleep comfortably?
Social Life
If and to what extent a patient’s social activities are limited because of pain symptoms?
Traveling
If so, to what extent does pain limit a patient’s ability to travel?
Employment and/or Homemaking Duties
Does pain limit a patient’s ability to perform job-related and/or household activities, including physically demanding and light duties?
Patients self-report the information and complete it on their own based on their understanding of the extent of their lower back pain and disability.
Each question can be scored between 0 and 5, with 0 indicating no limitations and 5 indicating complete disability.
The scores from all the questions are added together for a cumulative total score of 50 points.
Scores
The Oswestry Disability Questionnaire assesses how much a patient’s lower back pain limits daily activities. This information is used in clinical documentation for medical services. A higher score indicates a greater level of disability, according to the following scoring criteria:
0–4: No disability
5–14: Mild disability
15–24: Moderate disability
25–34: Severe disability
35–50: Completely disabled
Physical therapists must create individualized goals for each patient to develop a treatment plan and receive authorization from insurance companies. One of the most important aspects of a physical therapy goal is that it must be measurable. The Oswestry Disability Questionnaire provides a numerical score to track functional limitations and monitor the range of motion and strength testing. A baseline measurement is taken at the beginning of treatment, and progress is tracked in follow-up visits. A new score is used as a treatment goal. According to a study, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire is 12.88. The MCID is the minimum score healthcare providers need to confirm a patient’s progress in function due to treatment. (Johnsen, L. G. et al., 2013)
By tracking changes in the total score before, during, and after treatment, healthcare providers can better assess whether treatment improves symptoms. A decrease in total score by 13 points or more would indicate that treatment is helping to improve a patient’s lower back pain and level of disability. Along with physical examination results, the patient’s score and the severity of symptoms can help healthcare providers determine an appropriate treatment plan.
No Disability
Treatment is unnecessary other than providing advice for lifting mechanics and general physical activity to maintain health.
Mild Disability
Conservative measures, such as physical therapy, exercise, hot or cold therapy, pain medication, and rest, are needed to help alleviate symptoms.
Moderate Disability
More aggressive intervention is needed, which can include extensive physical therapy services and pain management.
Severe Disability
Significant medical intervention is needed, including surgery, pain management, equipment like wheelchairs, and help from a caretaker.
Completely Disabled
Patients are either bedbound or have worsening symptoms, and a caretaker is needed to complete daily activities and self-care tasks.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic
Improvements in range of motion, strength, and quality of movement and a decrease in total score can help show the treatment’s positive impact in managing lower back pain. A thorough medical exam and diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, MRI, or EMG, can help determine the underlying causes, discover the cause of the problem, and develop an effective treatment plan. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop personalized treatment programs. Using an integrated approach to treating injuries and chronic pain syndromes to improve flexibility, mobility, and agility and help individuals return to normal activities. Our providers use Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine principles. If other treatments are needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers.
Johnsen, L. G., Hellum, C., Nygaard, O. P., Storheim, K., Brox, J. I., Rossvoll, I., Leivseth, G., & Grotle, M. (2013). Comparison of the SF6D, the EQ5D, and the oswestry disability index in patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative disc disease. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 14, 148. doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-14-148
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint composed of the femur head and a socket, which is part of the pelvis. The labrum is a cartilage ring on the socket part of the hip joint that helps keep joint fluid inside to ensure frictionless hip motion and alignment during movement. A labral tear of the hip is an injury to the labrum. The extent of the damage can vary. Sometimes, the hip labrum can have mini tears or fray at the edges, usually caused by gradual wear and tear. In other cases, a section of the labrum can separate or get torn away from the socket bone. These types of injuries are usually due to trauma. There are conservative hip labral tear tests to determine the type of injury. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic team can help.
Symptoms
Symptoms are similar regardless of the type of tear, but where they are felt depends on whether the tear is in the front or the back. Common symptoms include:
Hip stiffness
Limited range of motion
A clicking or locking sensation in the hip joint when moving.
Pain in the hip, groin, or buttocks, especially when walking or running.
Night discomfort and pain symptoms when sleeping.
Some tears can cause no symptoms and can go unnoticed for years.
Hip Labral Tear Tests
A hip labral tear can occur anywhere along the labrum. They can be described as anterior or posterior, depending on which part of the joint is affected:
Anterior hip labral tears: The most common type of hip labral tear. These tears occur on the front of the hip joint.
Posterior hip labral tears: This type appears on the back of the hip joint.
Tests
The most common hip labral tear tests include:
The Hip Impingement Test
The Straight Leg Raise Test
The FABER Test – stands for Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation.
The THIRD Test – stands for the Hip Internal Rotation with Distraction.
Hip Impingement Tests
There are two types of hip impingement tests.
Anterior Hip Impingement
This test involves the patient lying on their back with their knee bent at 90 degrees and then rotated inward towards the body.
If there is pain, the test is considered positive.
Posterior Hip Impingement
This test involves the patient lying on their back with their hip extended and their knee flexed and bent at 90 degrees.
The leg is then rotated outward away from the body.
If it results in pain or apprehension, it is considered positive.
Straight Leg Raise Test
This test is used on various medical conditions that involve back pain.
The test begins with the patient sitting or lying down.
On the unaffected side, the range of motion is examined.
Then the hip is flexed while the knee is straight on both legs.
The patient may be asked to flex the neck or extend the foot to stretch nerves.
The FABER Test
It stands for Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation.
The test begins with the patient lying on their back with their legs straight.
The affected leg is placed in a figure four position.
The physician will then apply incremental downward pressure to the bent knee.
If there is hip or groin pain, the test is positive.
The THIRD Test
This stands for – the Hip Internal Rotation with Distraction
The test begins with the patient lying on their back.
The patient then flexes their knee to 90 degrees and turns it inward around 10 degrees.
The hip is then rotated inward with downward pressure on the hip joint.
The maneuver is repeated with the joint slightly distracted/pulled apart.
It is considered positive if the pain is present when the hip is rotated and diminished pain when distracted and rotated.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment involves hip adjustments to realign the bones around the hip and up through the spine, soft tissue massage therapy to relax the muscles around the pelvis and thigh, targeted flexibility exercises to restore range of motion, motor control exercises, and strengthening exercises to correct muscular imbalances.
Treatment and Therapy
References
Chamberlain, Rachel. “Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis.” American family physician vol. 103,2 (2021): 81-89.
Groh, M.M., Herrera, J. A comprehensive review of hip labral tears. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2, 105–117 (2009). doi.org/10.1007/s12178-009-9052-9
Diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis usually involves multiple tests. When doctors order blood tests to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, an individual is experiencing worsening symptoms in their back and joints. Often, a blood test diagnosis means the doctor is looking for evidence of anything else that could be causing the symptoms. However, blood tests by themselves cannot definitively diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, but when combined with imaging and assessment, they can provide important clues that point to the answers.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Blood Test Diagnosis
Ankylosing spondylitis is arthritis that primarily affects the spine and hips. It can be difficult to diagnose as no single test can provide thorough information for a definitive diagnosis. A combination of diagnostic tests are utilized, including a physical exam, imaging, and blood tests. Doctors are not only looking for results that will point to ankylosing spondylitis, but they are looking for any results that might point away from the spondylitis results that might provide a different explanation for symptoms.
Physical Exam
The diagnostic process will begin with the individual’s medical history, family history, and physical exam. During the exam, the doctor will ask questions to help rule out other conditions:
How long have symptoms been presenting?
Do symptoms get better with rest or exercise?
Are the symptoms getting worse or staying the same?
Are the symptoms worse at a particular time of day?
The doctor will check for limitations in mobility and palpate tender areas. Many conditions can cause similar symptoms, so the doctor will check to see if the pain or lack of mobility is consistent with ankylosing spondylitis. The feature sign of ankylosing spondylitis is pain and stiffness in the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located in the lower back, where the base of the spine and pelvis meet. The doctor will look at other spinal conditions and symptoms:
Back pain symptoms caused by – injuries, posture patterns, and/or sleeping positions.
The HLA-B27 gene corresponds with ankylosing spondylitis; if an individual has it, one of their parents has it.
Imaging
X-rays often serve as the first step to a diagnosis.
As the disease progresses, new small bones form between the vertebrae, eventually fusing them.
X-rays work best at mapping the disease progression than the initial diagnosis.
An MRI provides clearer images in the early stages as smaller details are visible.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can help rule out other conditions and check for signs of inflammation, providing supportive evidence along with the results of imaging tests. It typically only takes about a day or two to get the results. The doctor may order one of the following blood tests:
Antinuclear antibodies, or ANA, go after the proteins in the cell’s nucleus, telling the body its cells are the enemy.
This activates an immune response that the body fights to eliminate.
A study determined that ANA is found in 19% of individuals suffering from ankylosing spondylitis and is higher in women than men.
Combined with other tests, the presence of ANA provides another clue to a diagnosis.
Gut Health
The gut microbiome plays an important role in triggering the development of ankylosing spondylitis and its treatment.
Tests to determine the gut’s health can give a doctor a complete picture of what is happening inside the body.
Blood test diagnoses for ankylosing spondylitis and other inflammatory conditions rely heavily on piecing together different tests alongside clinical exams and imaging.
Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
References
Cardoneanu, Anca, et al. “Characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in ankylosing spondylitis.” Experimental and therapeutic medicine vol. 22,1 (2021): 676. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10108
Prohaska, E et al. “Antinukleäre Antikörper bei Spondylitis ankylosans (Morbus Bechterew)” [Antinuclear antibodies in ankylosing spondylitis (author’s transl)]. Wiener klinische Wochenschrift vol. 92,24 (1980): 876-9.
Sheehan, Nicholas J. “The ramifications of HLA-B27.” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine vol. 97,1 (2004): 10-4. doi:10.1177/014107680409700102
Wenker KJ, Quint JM. Ankylosing Spondylitis. [Updated 2022 Apr 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470173/
Xu, Yong-Yue, et al. “Role of the gut microbiome in ankylosing spondylitis: an analysis of studies in the literature.” Discovery medicine vol. 22,123 (2016): 361-370.
The Adams forward bend test is a simple screening method that can help with scoliosis diagnosis and help in developing a treatment plan. The exam is named after the English physician William Adams. As part of an examination, a doctor or chiropractor will look for an abnormal side-to-side bend in the spine.
Scoliosis Diagnosis
The Adams forward-bend test can help determine if there are indicators for scoliosis.
It is not an official diagnosis, but the results can be used as a starting point.
The Adams test will reveal signs of scoliosis and/or other potential deformities like:
Uneven shoulders
Uneven hips
Lack of symmetry between the vertebrae or the shoulder blades.
The head does not line up with a rib hump or the pelvis.
Detection of Other Spinal Issues
The test can also be used to find spinal curvature issues and conditions like:
Kyphosis or hunchback, where the upper back is bent forward.
Scheuermann’s disease is a form of kyphosis where the thoracic vertebrae can grow unevenly during a growth spurt and cause the vertebrae to develop into a wedge-like shape.
The Adams test by itself is not enough to confirm scoliosis.
A standing X-ray with Cobb angle measurements above 10 degrees is required for diagnosing scoliosis.
The Cobb angle determines which vertebrae are tilted the most.
The higher the angle, the more severe the condition and the more probable it will produce symptoms.
Computed tomography or CT and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scans can also be used.
Forward Bend Test
References
Glavaš, Josipa et al. “The role of school medicine in the early detection and management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.” Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 1–9. 4 Oct. 2022, doi:10.1007/s00508-022-02092-1
Grossman, T W et al. “An evaluation of the Adams forward bend test and the scoliometer in a scoliosis school screening setting.” Journal of pediatric orthopedics vol. 15,4 (1995): 535-8. doi:10.1097/01241398-199507000-00025
Letts, M et al. “Computerized ultrasonic digitization in the measurement of spinal curvature.” Spine vol. 13,10 (1988): 1106-10. doi:10.1097/00007632-198810000-00009
Senkoylu, Alpaslan, et al. “A simple method for assessing rotational flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: modified Adam’s forward bending test.” Spine deformity vol. 9,2 (2021): 333-339. doi:10.1007/s43390-020-00221-2
Low back pain is one of the most common ailments for people visiting a doctor or an urgent care clinic. When the back pain becomes intense, it can get you thinking something is seriously wrong with your back. The doctor might offer an x-ray or MRI scan to put your concerns at ease.
Fortunately, most cases of low back pain, even acute pain, improve within days or a few weeks. Most cases are remedied with chiropractic, physical therapy, heat/ice therapy, and rest. And a lot of these cases do not require any form of spinal imaging. However, those are why X-ray, MRI, and CT scans are necessary to figure out what’s happening.
Strained muscle
Sprained ligament
Poor posture
These typical causes of low back pain can be painful and limit activities.
Back Pain Lasting Longer Than 2/3 Weeks
Subacute pain lasts between 4 and 12 weeks, while chronic back pain lasts three months or longer. These are not indications of a severe lower back spinal condition.
Less than 1% of people with low back pain are diagnosed with the condition that may require spine surgery:
Doctors may recommend an x-ray or MRI if the low back pain is from a traumatic injury, like a:
Slip
Fall
Automobile accident
Other potential causes of low back pain may warrant medical imaging immediately or later.
The diagnostic process starts with the evaluation of the low back symptoms and how they relate to what was found during the:
Physical exam
Neurological exam
Medical history
A doctor utilizes these results to determine whether spinal imaging is necessary, along with the type of imaging test, x-ray, or MRI and the timing to confirm a diagnosis.
A Low Back X-Ray/MRI
X-ray spinal imaging best detects bony structural problems but is not so great with soft tissue injuries. X-ray series may be performed to diagnose vertebral compression fractures.
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral views
MRI is a radiation-free test. MRIs create 3-D anatomical views of the spinal bones and soft tissues. A contrast dye like gadolinium is used to enhance and improve the quality of the images. The contrast is injected through an intravenous line in your hand or arm before or during the test. An MRI can evaluate neurological symptoms, like radiating pain or pain that develops after a cancer diagnosis.
Symptoms, Co-existing Medical Diagnoses, and Conditions that may Require Spine Imaging
Neurological symptoms
Low back pain that radiates, fans out, or downward into the buttocks, legs, and feet
Abnormal reflexes in the lower body can indicate nerve disruption
Radiation to your entire body is measured through the millisievert (mSv), also known as the effective dose. The radiation dose is the same amount every time you experience an x-ray. When undergoing an x-ray, the radiation not absorbed by the body creates the image.
The effective dose helps a doctor measure the risk for possible side effects of radiographic imaging:
CT scans use radiation as well
Specific body tissues and organs in the lower back are sensitive to radiation exposure, like the reproductive organs.
MRI Radiation-Free Why Not Just Use This Test All The Time
MRI cannot be used on all patients because of its powerful magnet technology. Pregnant women or individuals with metal inside their body, like a spinal cord stimulator, heart pacemaker, etc., cannot be scanned with an MRI.
MRI testing is also expensive; doctors do not want to prescribe unnecessary tests that increase costs. Or because of the fine detail that MRIs provide, sometimes a spinal issue can look severe but is not.
Example: An MRI of the lower back reveals a herniated disc in a patient with no back/leg pain or other symptoms.
This is why doctors bring all their findings like the symptoms, physical exam, and medical history to confirm a diagnosis and create a custom treatment plan.
Imaging Test Takeaways
If low back pain takes its toll, listen to what the doctor recommends. They might not order a lumbar x-ray or MRI immediately but remember the issues mentioned above, like neurological symptoms and co-existing medical conditions. But these tests help discover the cause or causes of the pain. Remember this is to help get patients to their optimal health and pain-free.
How to eliminate Back Pain naturally | (2020) Foot Levelers |El Paso, Tx
NCBI Resources
Imaging diagnostics is an essential element in the evaluation of spine trauma. The rapid evolution of imaging technology has tremendously changed the assessment and treatment of spine injuries. Imaging diagnostics utilizing CT and MRI, among others, are helpful in acute and chronic settings. Spinal cord and soft-tissue injuries are best evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, whereas computed tomography scanning or CT scans best evaluate spinal trauma or spine fracture.
Sometimes there are abnormalities of the spine and it causes a misalignment of the natural curvatures or some curvatures may be exaggerated. These unnatural curvatures of the spine are characterized by three health conditions called lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
It is not intended to be naturally bent, twisted, or curved. The natural state of a healthy spine is somewhat straight with slight curves running front to back so that a side view would reveal them.
Viewing the spine from the back, you should see something completely different � a spine that runs straight down, top to bottom with no side to side curves. This doesn�t always happen though.
The spine is comprised of vertebrae, small bones that are stacked on top of each other with impact cushioning discs between each one. These bones act as joints, allowing the spine to bend and twist in a variety of ways.
They gently curve, sloping slightly inward at the small of the back, and again slightly at the neck. The pull of gravity, combined with body movement, can put a great deal of stress on the spine and these slight curves help absorb some of the impact.
Different conditions for different types of spinal curvatures
Each of these three spinal curvature disorders affects a certain area of the spine in a very specific way.
Hyper or Hypo Lordosis � This spinal curvature disorder affects the lower back, causing the spine to curve inwards or outwards significantly.
Hyper or Hypo Kyphosis � This spinal curvature disorder affects the upper back, causing the spine to bow, resulting in that area rounding or flattening abnormally.
Scoliosis � This spinal curvature disorder can affect the entire spine, causing it to curve sideways, forming a C or S shape.
What are the symptoms?
Each type of curvature exhibits its own set of symptoms. While some symptoms may overlap, many are unique to the specific curvature disorder.
Lordosis
A �swayback� appearance where the buttocks stick out or are more pronounced.
Discomfort in the back, typically in the lumbar region
When lying on a hard surface on the back, the lower back area does not touch the surface, even when attempting to tuck the pelvis and straighten the lower back.
Difficulty with certain movements
Back pain
Kyphosis
A curve or hump to the upper back
Upper back pain and fatigue after sitting or standing for long periods (Scheuermann�s kyphosis)
Leg or back fatigue
The head bends far forward instead of being more upright
Scoliosis
Hips or waist are uneven
One shoulder blade is higher than the other
The person leans to one side
What are the causes?
Many different health issues can cause the spine to become misaligned or to form a spinal curvature. Each of the spinal conditions mentioned is affected by different conditions and situations.
Lordosis
Osteoporosis
Achondroplasia
Discitis
Obesity
Spondylolisthesis
Kyphosis
Kyphosis
Arthritis
Tumors on or in the spine
Congenital kyphosis (abnormal development of the vertebrae while the person is in utero)
Spina bifida
Scheuermann’s disease
Spine infections
Osteoporosis
Habitual slouching or poor posture
Scoliosis is still a bit of a mystery to doctors. They are not certain what exactly causes the most common form of scoliosis that is typically seen in children and adolescents. Some of the causes that they have pinpointed include:
There are screenings available for both children and adults to identify any spinal curvatures in their early stages through your chiropractor. Early detection of these disorders is crucial in identifying them before they become too serious.
Personalized Spine & *SCIATICA TREATMENT* | El Paso, TX (2019)
It is estimated that scoliosis affects anywhere from 2 to 3 percent of children and adults in the United States. That is roughly six to nine million people. While it seems to develop most commonly within specific age ranges for boys and girls, it can also develop in infancy. Every year, approximately 30,000 children are fitted with a scoliosis back brace while 38,000 people have spinal fusion surgery to correct the problem. Scoliosis screenings can have tremendous benefits by identifying both risk factors for scoliosis and allowing for early treatment.
The earlier you detect scoliosis, the easier it is to treat.
Scoliosis typically develops in childhood. For girls, it usually occurs between 7 and 14 years of age. Boys develop it a little later, between 6 and 16 years of age.
Getting a scoliosis screening each year during these critical age ranges allow doctors to identify the condition early and begin treating it before it gets serious. Advanced scoliosis can require extensive treatments, bracing, and even surgery.
Chiropractic has been shown to help scoliosis, as do stretching, special exercises, and physical therapy. There are spinal adjustments that chiropractors do that are specific to the treatment of scoliosis.
When addressing the condition early on, the Cobb angle can be stopped from progressing and even reduced so that the spine has a more natural curve. Non-surgical treatments tend to be much more effective in the earlier stages of scoliosis, so early detection and early diagnosis are critical.
Identifying high-risk cases early can address current issues and prevent future ones.
Chiropractors can identify certain scoliosis risk factors in children before the condition even develops. A scoliosis screening allows them to spot tension in a child�s spinal cord � a common sign that they will develop scoliosis.
When parents are aware that their child is in a high-risk category for developing scoliosis, they can take proactive measures with home monitoring for the signs of scoliosis as well as keeping up with the course of recommended screenings. They will know to look for the signs and can address them quickly so that treatment can be started at the earliest possible time.
Help researchers and doctors become more effective in treating scoliosis.
The early stages and development of scoliosis are still shrouded in mystery for researchers and doctors. While there have been great strides made in better understanding the condition, there is still much left to learn.
There have been many studies that have aided doctors in identifying high-risk children and making early stage diagnoses, such as how the�angle of the ankle and foot are linked to scoliosis. However, screening, diagnosis, and treatment are vital to maintaining the flow of data for more studies to be conducted and more research to be done.
More mainstream screenings mean�identifying more cases of scoliosis at the early stages. This would have a two-prong effect on research. It would provide more data to be reviewed and studied, and it would increase interest in the condition as more cases of early stage scoliosis is found. This would further spur research.
Avoid the �waiting game� of seeing if scoliosis will progress.
Any parent who has had to wait for the results of a test or to see if a condition will develop or worsen knows well the anxiety of playing that waiting game. A family is usually the first person to discover scoliosis in a child.
While they may suspect a problem, or know that a problem exists, they may take a �wait and see� approach in getting treatment. If the curve worsens they may eventually seek treatment, but the constant nagging of not knowing if the curve will get worse � and the anxiety it produces � can impact not only the parents� peace of mind�but the child�s as well.
Scoliosis screenings provide peace of mind and monitor the child�s development so that if their scoliosis does progress or become a problem it can be addressed in the quickest, most efficient way possible.
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