Keep eye on childrens’ posture to detect scoliosis early, spine experts urge schools

Kolkata: Spine consultants and surgeons have urged school teachers to play a frontline role in spotting scoliosis early by watching for any abnormal curvature in a student's spine and alerting parents to seek medical evaluation so that the condition does not progress into a permanent deformity.Scoliosis often develops silently during adolescence, especially around growth spurts, and early signs can be subtle enough to be dismissed as "bad posture". Specialists say teachers are uniquely placed to notice visible changes over time, like uneven shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, an uneven waistline, a tilted pelvis, or a back that appears to curve to one side.
In Kolkata, experts who are part of Spine Research Foundation (SRF), a platform that aims to educate people about the treatment and prevention options of spine ailments like scoliosis and kyphosis, emphasised that the biggest risk is delayed diagnosis, not lifestyle habits. They also refuted the common belief that heavy school bags cause idiopathic scoliosis, clarifying that bags do not cause the condition, though they may aggravate discomfort or accelerate symptoms in a child who already has an underlying spinal problem. Doctors noted that scoliosis may run in families and can be linked to developmental, metabolic and neuromuscular factors, while the cause remains unclear in many cases.Stressing the importance of school screening, Saumyajit Basu, consultant spine surgeon and managing trustee of SRF, said, "Time lost can lead to a mild curve becoming severe." Consultant neuroanaesthetist Trinanjan Sarangi said: "Catch scoliosis early so kids never need surgery." Teachers said they will be more mindful about abnormalities in the curvature of students' spines.Scoliosis survivor Maitreyee Banerjee announced Scoliosis Support India, a peer-led community to help patients and families navigate diagnosis and recovery, reinforcing that early recognition and prompt medical attention can protect a child's spine and future quality of life.