It is well establish that posture deformities are a common problem among children that is often ignored by parent and teachers. Posture deformities in children could be related to their socio-economic status, lifestyle, culture, tradition, environmental factors, as well as activity levels and are associated with numerous adverse health effects, which include lung and heart defects, indigestion and back pain. Children who experience back pain are at increased risk of having back pain as adults. The economic impact of back pain affects the industry, were back problems are the most expensive type of injury claim. The increase in spinal problems, such as lower back pain in children and adolescents, points to the need for continued screening. It is suggested that early detection of postural deviation could provide an improve chance for corrective remedies and posture development. On investigating the relevant literature it becomes clear that attempts to define the prevalence of posture deformities among children have focused on reporting selected deformities only. Consequently the literature contains insufficient information on posture deformities involving the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as the prevalence of posture deformities among black African people. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the incidence of posture deviations among black African children in the North West Province and secondly to determine the difference in the prevalence of posture deformities between boys and girls. In a longitudinal study posture deformities including the entire musculoskeletal system were assessed in 251 schoolchildren (136 girls and 115 boys). Posture screening was done according to the New York Posture test and a posture grid. Subjects were evaluated in a standing position from the rear and lateral side. Foot deformities (flat foot) were also measured with the use of white chalk and a black board. Thereafter the "Adam's test" (forward bending test) were used for further scoliosis evaluation. The prevalence of posture deformities was reported to be high among black African schoolchildren. The incidence of lordosis (84%) and protruding abdomen (67%) was the highest, while twisted head (8%) was reported as the lowest. Gender difference in the prevalence of posture deformities was also found, with a higher incidence of posture deformities reported in girls (54%) as in boys (46%). / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects 1 – 3% of all children aged 10 – 16 years; of these approximately 80% are girls. Scoliosis surgery is a major (one of the most extensive) elective paediatric orthopaedic procedure and is known to cause severe and excruciating pain that requires advanced postoperative pain management. Until now, scoliosis surgery has mainly been studied in terms of corrective surgical outcomes, and techniques for surgery and pain management. Adolescents’ narratives and experiences of recovery after scoliosis surgery, as well as psychological aspects in correlation to postoperative pain have seldom been studied. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to explore adolescents’ experiences of undergoing scoliosis surgery, experiences and self-reporting of pain, and psychological consequences. Methods: This thesis comprises four studies. The participants in Studies I and II belonged to the same cohort, all of whom underwent corrective surgery in the period from 2004 to 2007. In Study I there was a cohort of 87 adolescents and young adults with different types of scoliosis, some of whom had impaired verbal communication. The patients and their parents/caregivers were asked to complete a survey with questions regarding experienced pain, nausea and overall satisfaction with the hospital stay. Study II was a qualitative study in which six adolescents from the cohort in Study I were interviewed. The adolescents included in Study II had idiopathic scoliosis, and the interviews took place about two years after they had undergone surgery. Study III, which included 37 adolescents, was a prospective study of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) from four spine centres in Sweden. They completed two psychometric instruments and one structured interview both before surgery and about six months afterward. They also self-measured pain on the third postoperative day. In Study IV the adolescents included belonged to the same cohort as in Study III. In this prospective, mixed-method study, the participants self-reported pain before surgery, every four hours for the first five days after surgery, once a day for the first fourteen days at home after discharge from the hospital, and finally at the six-month follow-up. They were also asked to keep a diary during the first two weeks at home after discharge from the hospital. At the six-month follow-up they were interviewed about the overall experience of undergoing scoliosis surgery: how they experienced the time before surgery, during the hospital stay and the recovery period up through the date of the interview. iv Results: Study I showed that the patients experienced severe pain and nausea postoperatively during the hospital stay. The parents/caregivers felt helpless and sometimes lacked confidence in the nurses. Despite this, overall satisfaction with the hospital stay was rated as good. Study II showed that the adolescents experienced nervousness and fear before surgery, severe pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the hospital stay, had problems with the scars and experienced social difficulties during recovery. Nightmares were reported for up to two years after surgery. In Study III, the ratings of stress symptoms were higher before surgery than after. There were significant correlations between stress symptoms before surgery and levels of postoperative pain. There were also significant correlations between levels of postoperative pain and stress symptoms at the six-month follow-up. In Study IV, postoperative pain ratings showed great individual variation, and in the analysis of drop-outs it was found that those who did not keep a diary at home self-reported higher levels of pain at the six-month follow-up as well as higher levels of stress symptoms and internalizing symptoms. The participants described experiences of severe pain at the hospital and also during recovery. Nausea, constipation and lack of energy emerged from the narratives - but so did the desire to get back to school, sports and friends. The adolescents described how they were hovering between suffering and control and also striving towards normality. Conclusion: The results indicate a need for interventions among adolescent patients to reduce stress symptoms before major surgery. Nurses need to identify adolescents with stress symptoms, use stress-reduction techniques, and support adolescent patients with coping strategies aimed at reducing preoperative stress and managing postoperative pain. Postoperative pain management needs to be improved, both as regards pain assessment and pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management. Nurses need to improve their medical technical skills in order to optimize pain treatment. After discharge from the hospital adolescents have to struggle with difficulties at home such as pain, nausea, constipation, mobilization and a lack of energy. An intervention with follow-up telephone calls during the second week at home could reduce stress and help resolve difficulties. Since this study indicates stress symptoms at the six-month follow-up, there should also be a nurse interview to check on well-being and to see if any further intervention is needed at that time. If preoperative stress can be reduced, postoperative pain management optimized and the recovery period better supported, the overall experience of going through scoliosis surgery should improve.

The research was aimed at the effect of kinesitherapy on children aged 4-7 years with spinal disorders in the frontal and sagital plane. The research took place in kindergarten, 30 children were evaluated and separated in two groups: children with spinal disorders in the frontal plane (scoliosis) and children with spinal disorders in the sagital plane (hiperlordosis, hiperkyphosis). Children with selected features were trained with special active and passive exercises 8 months (3 times per week). The change of spinal disorder degree in the frontal and sagital plane were controlled with special measuring device Sabia’s scoliometer. The measurements were evaluated before training and after it. On the grounds of the findings it can be concluded that kinesitherapy was effective on children with spinal disorders in the frontal plane (I° scoliosis). The degree of scoliosis markedly decreased. The kinesitherapy was less effective on children with spinal disorders in the sagital plane. The quantity of hiperlordosis and hiperkyphosis decreased insignificantly.

No description available.

It is well establish that posture deformities are a common problem among children that is often ignored by parent and teachers. Posture deformities in children could be related to their socio-economic status, lifestyle, culture, tradition, environmental factors, as well as activity levels and are associated with numerous adverse health effects, which include lung and heart defects, indigestion and back pain. Children who experience back pain are at increased risk of having back pain as adults. The economic impact of back pain affects the industry, were back problems are the most expensive type of injury claim. The increase in spinal problems, such as lower back pain in children and adolescents, points to the need for continued screening. It is suggested that early detection of postural deviation could provide an improve chance for corrective remedies and posture development. On investigating the relevant literature it becomes clear that attempts to define the prevalence of posture deformities among children have focused on reporting selected deformities only. Consequently the literature contains insufficient information on posture deformities involving the entire musculoskeletal system, as well as the prevalence of posture deformities among black African people. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the incidence of posture deviations among black African children in the North West Province and secondly to determine the difference in the prevalence of posture deformities between boys and girls. In a longitudinal study posture deformities including the entire musculoskeletal system were assessed in 251 schoolchildren (136 girls and 115 boys). Posture screening was done according to the New York Posture test and a posture grid. Subjects were evaluated in a standing position from the rear and lateral side. Foot deformities (flat foot) were also measured with the use of white chalk and a black board. Thereafter the "Adam's test" (forward bending test) were used for further scoliosis evaluation. The prevalence of posture deformities was reported to be high among black African schoolchildren. The incidence of lordosis (84%) and protruding abdomen (67%) was the highest, while twisted head (8%) was reported as the lowest. Gender difference in the prevalence of posture deformities was also found, with a higher incidence of posture deformities reported in girls (54%) as in boys (46%). / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Scoliosis is defined as the abnormal three dimensional curvature of the spine with 80% of all cases being idiopathic in nature. If left unchecked, this condition can cause cardio-pulmonary complications and occasionally death. Currently, the most common method of treatment of scoliosis is through mechanical bracing or in extreme cases, corrective surgery. Current treatments can be further improved with a greater understand of the growth patterns of scoliotic spines. The objective of this study is to develop a finite element spine model capable of responding to loading conditions in a similar fashion to previous finite biomechanics spine model and utilize the ‘vicious cycle’ scoliosis theory in an effort to model scoliosis growth. Using CT images of a healthy spine, a three dimensional finite element model of the L3-L4 vertebra is generated. Asymmetric loading due to compression and muscle forces can then be applied on the spine and the resultant stresses are then translated into equivalent thermal load. Using this thermal load, it is possible to cause the spine model to grow, thereby predicting the growth pattern of a spine due to asymmetric loading.

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted at back / Bibliography: leaves 211-220 / viii, 220 leaves : ill ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Summary: Investigates various problems relating to scoliosis and manual load handling. Introduces the idea of deducing optimal load lifting techniques which take into into account multiple joint/muscle complexes / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied Mathematics, 1994

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied Mathematics, 1994. / Copies of author's previously published articles inserted at back. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-220).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-207).