How Do You Perform the Adams Forward Bend Test?

Discussion Scoliosis is a lateral and rotational curvature of the spine from a plumb line hanging from C7 to the floor. Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form. A review of scoliosis and its differential diagnosis can be found here. Depending on the age, 2-4% of adolescents have a positive Adams Forward Bend Test when assessed and ~2% may have idiopathic scoliosis of > 10 degrees. Curve progression relates to the magnitude of the curve and the patient’s age. Thus increased risk of progression occurs in patients with higher curvature magnitude at diagnosis, females (earlier start of puberty and therefore possibly not identified or have great curvature to start with), younger children (same reason), being skeletally immature, symptomatic (pain or other neurological problems), underlying disease (e.g. congenital, neuromuscular, connective tissue disease, or foot deformities), and patients with excessive lordosis or kyphosis. Routine clinical screening is controversial but several professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend screening. It is recommended to screen females in US in 5th and 7th grades (10-11 years and 12-13 years), and males in 8th grade (13-14 years). In general, idiopathic scoliosis that has a Cobb angle 50 degrees often progress at a rate of 0.75-1.00 degree/year. Those between ~30-40 degrees may or may not progress but are at risk especially if skeletally imm...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news