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A Study of Scoliosis among Adolescent Female Patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria | Chapter 07 | Current Trends in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 3

Background: Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder characterised by a lateral bending or curvature of the spine.

Aim  of  Study: To  evaluate  the  prevalence,  distribution  and age  of  onset  of  adolescent  scoliosis among female patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria.

Study  Design: This was  a retrospective epidemiological study of female scoliosis patients treated between 2005 and 2014. Data were obtained from patients medical records after due permission had been sought for and obtained from the hospital management. A total of 16,027 orthopaedic cases were analysed.

Results: The prevalence of female adolescent scoliosis within the 10-year period was 0.27%. The peak age of presentation was 11-12 years, followed by 13-14 years. The prevalence rate varied from one  year  to  the  other.  Thirty  per  cent  (30%)  of  the  presenting  females  were  children  of  traders followed closely (20%) by children of teachers.

Conclusion: Female  adolescent  scoliosis  was  not  common  at  the  National  Orthopaedic  Hospital, Enugu within the study period. In view of the public health importance of scoliosis in adolescent girls, screening tests should  be  done  periodically  to detect  cases  in  time  for effective  management  and orthotic  rehabilitation. Scoliosis  among  females  was  prevalent  but  not  common  at  the  National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. It is suggested that periodic screening tests be performed to detect cases early. This will make for early diagnosis and proper treatment. Here lies the public health importance of adolescent scoliosis.

Author(s) Details

Dr Solomon, Nwabueze, David Ukibe
Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.


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