Childhood | Scoliosis screening has shortcomings

Scoliosis screening in children presents shortcomings in Quebec. Nevertheless, deplores a specialist, which means that many are seen so late that only the surgical option is then available. Moreover,

Posted at 9:16 a.m.

“There is a rebound in the number of patients. In addition, and the children appear too late,” said Doctor Jean Ouellet, who is an orthopedic surgeon at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. However,

Scoliosis has not been detected in Quebec childhood | scoliosis screening shortcomings schools for forty years. Nevertheless, among others because it has long been believed that the evolution of the disease was irreversible. Furthermore,

We now know that this is false. Moreover, said Doctor Ouellet: if the problem is detected early enough and if corrective measures are put in place, three children out of four will escape the scalpel. Therefore,

“Studies show that if you do early screening. Therefore, are able to take them on a corset, we are able to minimize what is called the medical burden of scoliosis,” said Doctor Ouellet. For example,

It is for this reason. he continues, that a pan-Canadian coalition was created, of which the Sainte-Justine CHU is also part, in order to put a screening program on track, especially during the growth of young people.

Because it was at this time. underlined Doctor Ouellet, that the problem will be able to worsen to the point of becoming obvious in the eyes of neophytes such as parents, teachers or coaches. He then begins, unfortunately, to be very, very late.

“We must increase awareness of the problem,” he said. Especially since children do not all follow (the same path), there are some who have growth more or later. And during growth thrusts, things can change fairly quickly. »»

Parents are therefore invited to keep their eyes open “when pants (children) become shorter. shorter and there is a kind of acceleration,” said Doctor Ouellet.

Screening was at one time carried out by nurses that were found in practically all schools in Quebec.

But today, if the child is apparently healthy, he will only be very rarely seen by a doctor. This is all the more true in the well -known current context of the health system. where even those who need to consult struggles to do so.

“About 40 % of patients you see have no scoliosis,” said Doctor Ouellet. But for 30 % of those we see, it is already too late and we can only offer them surgery. So we are flooded with patients who do not really have scoliosis. while patients who have a sharp need are not seen. I better like to see more patients and reassure them, but you have to find a happy medium. »»

And even if the child is seen by a health professional. some “say” we will wait until childhood | scoliosis screening shortcomings you have finished growing “, but it’s too late,” deplored Doctor Ouellet.

“You really have to catch this at first. initiate corsets very early, to be able to change the natural history of scoliosis,” he said.