Gima 105858 Notice D'utilisation page 5

ENGLISH
5
SCOLIOSIS is a deviation (morphological or functional) of the spinal column
to the side, to the left or to the right. Often, scoliosis is first diagnosed
by finding:
1) irregular vertical alignment of spinal hypophises of the vertebrae
(misalignment);
2) asymmetry of shoulders and hips;
3) prominence of one shoulder blade;
4) a posterior rib hump in the chest wall.
The first three checks above can be easily done by observing the patient
from behind and in erect position. It is more difficult to observe the entity
of the posterior rib hump in the chest wall, which is formed as vertebrae
rotate around the spinal column. In fact, scoliosis causes the patient
to modify his posterior rib position, so that both sides are no longer
on a horizontal plane.
The concave side of the scoliosis (Fig. 1, left side for observer) is curved
inwards, therefore the posterior ribs are lowered, while on the convex side
(Fig. 1, right side for observer)
it is more protruding.
The hump form can be seen more
clearly by examining the patient's
back view and having him bend his
chest forward over his hips.
The non-horizontal alignment is thus
visible. On this subject, for an accurate
overall evaluation, it is most important
that the patient bends forward
correctly, feet together, arms hanging
beside his legs and in a relaxed
position (Fig. 2).
Various studies have shown that about
5% of school-age children have
sideways bends.
So careful screening by the family doctor,
from the age of 6 till puberty,
should be one of the routine checkups
carried out.
The Scoliometer, a useful instrument
for doctors in their everyday practice,
diagnoses and measures rib hump.
Based on the spirit-level principle,
fig. 1 fig. 2