Bhubaneswar: Students studying in several schools in the state capital would be screened for spine abnormalities to ensure timely medical intervention by health professionals under the Scoliosis Screening Programme (SSP).
The Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI) has planned to undertake the massive screening drive in the city under a national mission.
Spinal deformities are characterised by abnormal curvature of the spine usually found in children below 19 years of age.
Experts claim that due to lack of awareness and absence of medical screenings, late appearance of disease remains a major problem in India.
“The screening programme has been envisioned to reach out to around 1.5 lakh schoolkids in the first two years. In the maiden phase of screening, we picked 14 schools from the country including Bhubaneswar. Later such facilities would also be taken up in other cities too. ASSI also plans to launch an e-learning programme for the consumer,” said Dr H S Chhabra, President, ASSI.
Under the project, the surgeons’ association would be working with a number of schools in the state capital. It has been planned that the screening could reach out to an estimated 10,000 children studying across different schools in the city.
The study will help the organisation collect much-needed data on the prevalence of spinal deformity while identifying kids who need medical intervention.
The association believes that early identification of abnormality amplifies the treatment options and also aids in reducing the proliferation of deformity as the kids grow. ASSI has also recommended that all children aged between 10 and 19 years be screened for spinal abnormality Spinal deformities such as Scoliosis and Kyphosis need to be identified early for effective intervention to prevent deformity progression which can affect a person’s appearance as well as health.
Experts claim many latest treatments are aiding in the advanced treatment of such ailments.
“Some of the latest interventions in spine surgeries including neuromonitoring, navigation, robotic technology and minimal invasive surgery have helped make spinal surgery highly safe and effective these days. Innovations in spine care and deformity surgery have also helped significantly improve outcomes in affected people”, says Ajoy P Shetty, Secretary of the association.
