Eunpyeong-gu Conducts 'Scoliosis Screening' for 3,000 Elementary Students

Recruitment for Desired Schools and On-site Medical Examinations for 5th Graders

Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will conduct scoliosis screenings for approximately 3,000 fifth-grade students across 30 elementary schools in the district. The screenings will be conducted on-site for schools that wish to participate.

Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves sideways or rotates into an S or C shape. It mainly occurs during the rapid growth period around puberty and progresses quickly, so early detection is crucial to prevent worsening symptoms. Therefore, the district decided to carry out screenings targeting elementary school students. Schools wishing to participate this year must apply by official letter by the 31st of this month.

Last year, Eunpyeong-gu conducted on-site screenings for 2,800 students across 21 schools, identifying 104 students (3.62%) with suspected scoliosis early and providing appropriate counseling and medical care.

The screening is conducted by a specialized scoliosis screening team that visits the applying schools directly. In the first stage, a scoliometer test is used to identify students whose torso rotation exceeds 5 degrees. In the second stage, a portable X-ray machine captures images from the cervical spine to the pelvis. A specialist doctor then interprets the X-ray images to determine the final degree of spinal curvature.

Students with findings can check their individual results online and receive consultations with specialists. Particularly, students with severe spinal curvature receive systematic follow-up care, including medical and treatment planning, through telephone consultations with specialized nurses.

An official from the Eunpyeong-gu Public Health Center stated, “If scoliosis is detected early, deterioration can be prevented through exercise therapy rather than surgery,” and added, “We ask for your interest in the scoliosis screening program to support the healthy growth and development of adolescents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.