The Investigation of Spinal Deformity in Korean Elementary School Students.

, Lee, Eui Jin; , Kang, Yeoun Seung; , Kim, Ki Hyun; , Kim, Han Seung; , Moon, Jae Ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2004;28(1):83-87.

Lee, Eui Jin , Kang, Yeoun Seung , Kim, Ki Hyun , Kim, Han Seung , Moon, Jae Ho

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. chriseyes@daum.net

한국 초등학생의 척추 변형 실태

이의진, 강연승, 김기현, 김한승, 문재호

연세대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of spinal deformities such as scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in Korean elementary school students.
Method
Five hundred forty Korean elementary school students were preliminary screened for spinal deformities by physical examinations and the three dimensional skeletal analysis system. The study time and pain regions were investigated in sitting on chairs that commonly used in Korean elementary school.
Results
The prevalence of scoliosis, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were 9.8%, 18.7% and 23.1%. There was a significant difference in study time between spinal deformity group and control group (p＜0.01). In spinal deformity group, pain regions were low back (45%), posterior neck (23%), buttock (21%) and shoulder and elbow joints (11%).
Conclusion
The spinal deformities showed high prevalence in elementary school students assessed by the three dimensional skeletal system analyser. The long term follow-up evaluation and confirmative radiographic study will be necessary to assess curve progression in spinal deformity group. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2004; 28: 83-87)

Key Words: Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis, Skeletal analysis system, Korean elementary school students