Scoliosis screening: results of a community project.

From 1973 to 1977, 7,642 girls and 751 boys were screened for spinal deformity in a Wisconsin County with a population of approximately 100,000. Of 243 girls and 30 boys found to have scoliosis, 155 girls and 13 boys had curves 10 degrees or greater. The most common location and curve direction was right thoracic; 98% of those with scoliosis were classified as idiopathic. Eighteen girls required treatment when initially seen: ten with a Milwaukee brace and eight with spine fusion. Of those not treated and followed for six months or longer, 24 girls and one boy had a decrease in their curve of at least 5 degrees, and 21 girls and one boy had an increase in their curve of at least 5 degrees. Determination of which curves would progress was unpredictable and identification of progression was possible only by repeated examinations.