Study of trunk asymmetry in normal children and adolescents

Abstract

The scoliometer readings in both standing and sitting position of 2071 children and adolescents (1099 boys and 972 girls) aged from 5 to 18 years old were studied. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was measured, in order to quantify the existing trunk asymmetry. Children and adolescents were divided in two groups according to the severity of trunk asymmetry. In the first group asymmetry was 1 to 6 degrees and in the second group was 7 or more degrees. Radiographic and leg length inequality evaluation were also performed in a number of children. The mean frequency of symmetric (ATR = 0 degrees) boys and girls was 67.06% and 65.01% for the standing screening position and 76.5% and 75.1% for the sitting position, respectively. The mean difference of frequency of asymmetry (ATR > 0 degrees) at standing minus sitting forward bending position for boys and girls was 10.22% and 9.37%, respectively. The mean frequency of asymmetry of 7 or more degrees was 3.23% for boys and 3.92% for girls at the standing forward bending position and 1.62% and 2.21% at the sitting, respectively. Girls are found to express higher frequency of asymmetry than boys. Right trunk asymmetry was more common than left. The sitting position is the preferred screening position for examining the rib or loin hump during school screening as it demonstrates the best correlation with the spinal deformity exposing the real trunk asymmetry.

Confiabilidade interavaliadores e intra-avaliador do escoliômetro

“…These methods emerged as an alternative to the radiographic evaluation method as it reduces exposure of patients who have scoliosis to excessive radiation, it is easier to evaluate in the clinic and it has a reduced cost, when compared to radiographic examination. Examples of these non-radiographic methods are the Moiré photograph [4][5][6] , the Quantec System 7 , the electric goniometer 8 and the scoliometer 2,3,[9][10][11][12][13][14] .…”

Asymmetry Assessment Using Surface Topography in Healthy Adolescents

“…Scoliosis then appears to be the magnification of these twist asymmetries. In previous studies, non-scoliosis spinal curves produced scoliometer readings ranging from magnitudes of 1° to 6° [35]. Although not analyzed in this study, in the future, it would also be useful to compare each subject's maximal surface rotation scoliometer measurements within the "normal" range and each subject's nominal value observed in the DCM spectrum.…”

Evaluation of Scoliosis Deviation with Clinical Measurements during Physical Therapy

“…Grivas et al [5] need all the examinations and clinical test to be done in sitting position, because it is more significant from the standing. To objective the position of scapula was made metal land markers in xray examination.…”

“…It does not reveal the scoliosis per se. There is a significant correlation between clinical deformity and radiological picture, but with surface topography or other technique the standard deviation is so high that it is not possible to predict the degree of curvature from them [4,5]. Following the treatment outcomes for 3-6 months it's not good to repeat x-ray expository especially for curve with small size.…”