Screening for scoliosis.

We compared two groups of consecutive patients presenting to a scoliosis center: viz., 214 children from 1974 to 1978 and 100 children from 1984 to 1986. The number of curves detected by school screening increased from 10 percent to 33 percent, and the size of the curves at presentation decreased from 49 to 33 degrees. Half the curves were still detected by families and friends. School screening for scoliosis has increased detection of curves at an early stage when bracing may be successful.