March 14, 2014
Dear Parent or Guardian:
The Memorial Middle
School will be doing an annual Postural Screening during the months of March
and April. The Massachusetts General Law
c.71, s.57 requires all public school systems in the Commonwealth to provide
postural screening to all students in grades 5 through 9. If a parent or guardian refuses to have a
postural screening by the school, written documentation provided by the physician must be submitted to the
school nurse (i.e. a recent physical).
The purpose of this
screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children in
Grades 5 through 9. It is not a
diagnostic service but a program to identify young people who should have
further medical evaluation.
If your child has any
unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take the child to a
physician as a precaution. The majority
of students exhibit no findings. If
nothing unusual is found, we will not be contacting you again until the
screening next year.
Female children are
asked to bring a two-piece swimsuit or halter-top and shorts to school the day
of the screening. This type of clothing
permits more accurate observation of the back. The screenings will be conducted
beginning the week of March 24th, during physical education and health classes.
If you have any
questions, please contact me at 925-2040, Ext. 1106. More information is provided below.
Sincerely,
Sharon
M. Striglio, R.N.
School
Nurse
**Scoliosis
screening will be done over the next couple of weeks in PE classes.**
Female students are asked to bring a two-piece swimsuit or halter-top
and shorts to school the day of the screening.
This type of clothing permits more accurate observation of the back. The
screenings will be conducted beginning the week of March 24th, during physical
education and health classes.
Scoliosis Information Sheet
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is an abnormal curve of the spine (backbone). With scoliosis,
the spine isn’t straight. Instead, the spine is crooked and curves to the side.
If the spine is very crooked, the ribs or hips may stick out more on one side
than the other side. Also, one shoulder may be lower than the other. Scoliosis
may begin in childhood but often is not noticed until the teenage years. In
most cases, the exact cause of scoliosis isn’t known. It seems to run in some
families. Scoliosis is more common in girls than in boys.
How can I tell if my child has scoliosis?
In Massachusetts it is mandatory for schools to check for scoliosis. A
child’s own physician should also
examine for scoliosis at regular check-ups. If scoliosis is suspected
from a school screen, doctors will reexamine the spine by looking at it in
different positions. Sometimes x-rays are needed to help show the
extent to which the spine is curved and to determine anticipated future
spinal growth. These two factors
allow doctors to decide on a plan of treatment.
Does scoliosis cause any problems?
In most people, the curve in the spine is so small that it causes no
problems. Scoliosis doesn’t usually
cause back pain. In severe cases, the curve may restrict the amount of
space available for the lungs and
heart to work.
How is scoliosis treated?
In most cases, no treatment is needed. Once identified, doctors check
the spine regularly to make sure the curve isn’t getting worse. Sometimes a
brace is worn to keep the spine from curving. Newer braces are light and less
bulky than old braces. Most braces fit under the clothes and are not visible.
Manipulation of the spine cannot improve scoliosis nor prevent its progression.
Is surgery necessary?
If a brace doesn’t stop the spine from curving, surgery may be needed
to prevent serious consequences.
During surgery, the bones in the spine may be moved and joined together
to strengthen the spine, or a rod may be placed in the spine to straighten it.
Surgery is usually successful and can be performed safely.
· Some of this information was adapted from the American
Academy of Family Physicians Patient
Information handout, entitled, “If Your Child has
Scoliosis” (May 1996).
