We remember well those school days when the public health nurse came in to prod our backs in what was then a yearly scoliosis screening. It was a few minutes out of our school day to practice our posture, do the Adam’s forward bend test and wonder if our heavy schoolbags had taken their toll on our backs. While we know it wasn’t easy carrying out these statewide checks, we can’t help but wonder where the Adam’s forward bend test has gone and why?
What is scoliosis?
It’s a condition of the spine, that causes it to curve to the side rather than run straight down the back. While some types of scoliosis don’t have known causes, others can be caused by illnesses like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and some genetic conditions. It can also show up in children undergoing growth spurts. Which is why in the past, schools carried out screenings for children between the ages of 10 and 15 years.
A number of cases brought to light recently highlight instances of scoliosis being discovered too late or with the patient on hospital waiting lists for years before receiving any treatment. In these cases it has been too late to administer a back brace as the patient’s growth was nearly completed. This makes further treatment and surgery much more traumatic on the body.
It has been stated by Wicklow TD John Brady that early identification of scoliosis would help to prevent surgery later in life.
Screening was disbanded in 2008 due to government austerity cuts, says Gary Farrell, founder of Scoliosis Ireland. But as the public health nurses still go to every school in order to carry out vaccinations, why can’t they also carry out scoliosis screenings?
Minister Simon Harris has stated that ‘there is merit’ in re-introducing scoliosis screenings in schools. It’s been said that by the end of the month there should be a plan in place to re-introduce the Adam’s forward bend test back into schools nationwide.