Purpose:

To evaluate the joint laxity during scoliosis screening with Beighton scoring system, and to define the relationship of joint laxity values with those found during the screening, especially with the trunk rotation.

Patients and Methods:

One thousand two hundred seventy three (598 females - 675 males) primary school children with an average age of 10,4 (8-15), were recruited for the scoliosis screening. The trunk rotation was measured by forward bending and scoliometer, among the other spinal tests, and their joint laxities were evaluated by using the Beighton scoring system. Trunk rotation of 7° and över were evaluated radiographically.

Results:

Joint laxity was found in 41 children (3,2%), and trunk rotation of 7° and över was found in 30 children (2,3%). Joint laxity in children with trunk rotation of T and över was found to be greater than those with 6° and less, but only a third of the children (n=10) was found to have a significant scoliotic curve after radiographic analysis.

Conclusion:

Beighton scoring was found to be a practical and reliable tool for defining the joint laxity in this study. Although the number of the scoliotic patients was not enough for a definitive conclusion, there was some finding which denote a specific relation between scoliosis and joint laxity. Interestingly, children vvithout having a scoliotic curve, but a trunk rotation of över 7°, were found to have a higher joint laxity than the general population. Scoliometer defines the trunk rotation in the thoracic and lumbar region, and there might be several other reasons that can change this topography of the surface other than scoliosis. This study shovvs that joint laxity can be one of the reasons changing the topography of the thoracic and lumbar region.

Keywords: Scoliosis school screening, Beighton score, Trunk rotation, Scoliosis, Joint laxity