Medical experts urge awareness on curved spine among children
About 5.3 to 5.4 percent of teenagers have curved spine, mainly caused by improper gestures while sitting and bending their heads for a long-time to study and use electronic devices, according to local experts.
“Improper gestures plus a lack of physical exercise has worsened the situation, as we have encountered many young patients with curved spine,” said Dr Xie Qingliang from the Shanghai Lianyihui Spine Rehabilitation Center.
“We require regular screening and early intervention for such patients, who can recover through proper and regular rehabilitation and training before the situation is so serious that only surgery can cure the problem.”
Curved spine among children and teenagers has aroused awareness in the medical field. Xinhua Hospital has teamed up with the government, sports universities and foundations to establish a network for early detection and intervention of the problem among children.
There are 3 million people suffering scoliosis, or curved spine, in China, 80 percent of whom developed the condition between the ages of 10 and 15. Among the 300,000 new patients detected every year, over half are adolescent, experts said.