The Adams Forward Bend Test is used in many situations to diagnose

scoliosis Scoliosis (: scolioses) is a condition in which a person's Vertebral column, spine has an irregular curve in the coronal plane. The curve is usually S- or C-shaped over three dimensions. In some, the degree of curve is stable, while in others ...

; however, it is not a primary source for a diagnosis. This test is often used at schools and doctors' offices to check for scoliosis. The patient bends forward, as if they are diving. If the patient has scoliosis, their back often has a prominent line where the

spine Spine or spinal may refer to: Science Biology * Spinal column, also known as the backbone * Dendritic spine, a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite * Thorns, spines, and prickles, needle-like structures in plants * Spine (zoology), ...

is, and one side is higher than the other. A patient's back is completely straight if they do not have scoliosis. The test, named after William Adams, was described in 1865. He discovered "the nature of the rotational element of scoliosis" after performing a postmortem on surgeon and geologist

Gideon Mantell Gideon Algernon Mantell Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, MRCS Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS (3 February 1790 – 10 November 1852) was an English obstetrician, geologist and paleontology, palaeontologist. His attempts to reconstr ...

, who had suffered from spinal problems for years.

References

Physical examination {{Med-diagnostic-stub

See also

References