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Maturity Assessment and Curve Progression in Girls with Idiopathic Scoliosis

¹ Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505
² Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219
³ Orthopaedic Research Center, Hamot Medical Center, 104 East 2nd Street, 6th Floor, Erie, PA 16507
⁴ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3705 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Investigation performed at Shriners Hospitals for Children, Erie, Pennsylvania

Disclosure: In support of their research for or preparation of this manuscript, one or more of the authors received grants or outside funding from the Scoliosis Research Society. None of the authors received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors are affiliated or associated.

Methods: Physically immature girls with idiopathic scoliosis were evaluated every six months through their growth spurt with serial spinal radiographs; hand skeletal ages; Oxford pelvic scores; Risser sign determinations; height; weight; sexual staging; and serologic studies of the levels of selected growth factors, estradiol, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin. These measurements were then correlated with the curve-acceleration phase.

Results: The period and pattern of curve acceleration began during Risser stage 0 for all patients. Skeletal maturation scores derived with the use of the Tanner-Whitehouse-III RUS method, particularly those for the metacarpals and phalanges, were superior to all other indicators of maturity. Regression of the scores provided good estimates of maturity relative to the period of curve progression (Pearson r = 0.93). The initiation of this period occurred simultaneously with digital changes from Tanner-Whitehouse-III stage F to G. At this stage, curves also separated into rapid, moderate, and low-acceleration patterns, with specific curve types in the rapid and moderate-acceleration groups. The low-acceleration group was not confined to a specific curve type.

Conclusions: The curve-acceleration phase separates curves into various types of curve progression. The Tanner-Whitehouse-III RUS scores are highly correlated with timing relative to the curve-acceleration phase and provide better maturity determination and prognosis determination during adolescence than the other parameters tested. Accurate skeletal maturity determination should be used as the primary maturity measurement in girls with idiopathic scoliosis.

Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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