Parents stress for their children to participate in school activities to discover and expand their talents, as well as to become more sociable around other students. But, before a child ties those laces or puts on that helmet, it’s important for every child to receive a physical.
Physical examinations allow doctors to scan and continuously observe a child’s body to check for any unusual signs of growth. It’s important to discover and understand these signs in order to reduce or stop them from occurring while children are young in order to ensure a healthy future.
Scoliosis is a medical condition resulting from curving of the spine, which can affect a person’s ability to walk correctly. In these cases, one side of a person’s shoulder will be higher than the other, requiring a person to wear one shoe with a higher heel in order to avoid a limp walk. The condition is determined by physicians who ask patients to bend over and then perform the Adams Forward Bend Test, allowing the physician to feel the patient’s spine for any unusual curvature.
Treatment options are available, but are determined based upon the area of the back in which the spine is curving, the degree of curvature and the age of the patient. Children at younger ages who begin to develop scoliosis should be consistently examined by a doctor to avoid future complications. Patients may be obligated to wear a back brace or a spinal fusion may be required, both of which depend upon the area of curvature and degree. If left unnoticed and a child has scoliosis, it can heavily affect a child’s future.
Be sure your child receives a physical today.
