"Lean Forward and Touch Your Toes": Is Scoliosis Screening Worth Doing?

The third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines during the past 3 years (guidelines homepage; Journal Watch May 15 2001; and Journal Watch May 21 2004).

USPSTF 3 concludes each of its guidelines with a recommendation, graded as follows:

A -- The intervention is strongly recommended.

B -- The intervention is recommended.

C -- The USPSTF makes no recommendation for or against the intervention.

D -- The intervention is not routinely recommended.

I -- Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the intervention.

I fondly recall reporting to the gym in 8^th grade for my annual scoliosis check. "Lean forward, touch your toes," a pat on the butt, and off I went. Is screening for scoliosis, with…