Scoliosis screening and growth in Western Australian students.

Scoliosis screening was combined with a study of spine and limb growth in a population sample ranging in age from four years to maturity. Scoliosis was most prevalent in females at 11 years to 12 years of age (13.9%) and in males at 13 years to 14 years of age (6.5%), but only half of the curvatures proved to be structural. Postural curves were most commonly associated with leg-length inequality (1 cm or more) which was also most prevalent at puberty. Growth studies and a follow-up survey suggest that progression of structural scoliosis is most common before puberty and is related to the rate of growth in length of the spine. The 11 years' age group appears to be ideal for screening to prevent progressive deformity. After adolescence, leg-length inequality is less prevalent and 32% of structural curves show some spontaneous regression at about 15 years.