Study aim: To assess the presence of musculoskeletal deformities in lower extremities and to detect faulty posture in
schoolchildren living in a rural region of Iran.
Material and methods: 172 schoolchildren aged 5-20 years, including 66 boys and 106 girls were screened deviations
in the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, the postural muscles including the hamstring and gastroc-soleus were
examined for finding any shortness.
Results: The prevalence of cervical lordosis (22.6% vs. 6.1%), forward head posture (24.1% vs. 9.1%) and thoracic
kyphosis (27.8 % vs. 7.6%) was significantly higher in girls than in boys. The prevalence of cervical lordosis, FHP,
thoracic kyphosis, and genu varum increased with age; in the case of genu valgum, the situation was reversed. Genu
varum was almost twice as frequent in girls as in boys (44.4% vs. 25.8%; p<0.01), while the genu valgum was more
frequent (p<0.001) in boys than in girls (13.6 and 2.8, respectively). No significant age or gender-dependent differences
were found for hamstring shortness (29%), gastroc-soleus shortness (21%), genu recurvatum (22%), and hallux
valgus (31%).
Conclusions: Faulty posture and lower limb deformities were highly prevalent in school children in this rural region.
More attention should be paid to implementing school-based screening programs aimed at early detection of any
musculoskeletal-related abnormalities and taking preventive steps to reduce their negative consequences.
