PREVALENCE STUDY OF SPINAL DEFORMITIES IN SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN OF THE AGE GROUP OF 6-10 YEARS IN A RURAL AREA

Objective: To identify whether spinal deformities are prevalent in school going children of the age group 6-10 years in a rural area. Methodology: The study involved 100 students between the age group of 6-10 years from a rural area. The participants were assessed for the presence of spinal deformities in the sagittal plane for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Outcome Measure: Flexicurve instrument was used for the purpose of assessment of the spinal deformities. Result: The data revealed that there was 21% of prevalence of forward head posture whereas 20% had decreased cervical curvature. For the thoracic spine, 5% had thoracic hyperkyphosis and 20% had thoracic hypokyphosis whereas for the lumbar spine, 54% of the participants had lumbar hyperlordosis and 1% had lumbar hypolordosis. Conclusion: The percentage of presence of spinal deformities indicated that there is a need for awareness about the spinal deformities and its effects as well as a need to reinforce the importance of good posture since an early age.