Risk factors for progression include female gender, curve magnitude of greater than 50° at maturity, curve type and remaining growth. Curves progress most rapidly when the child is
growing rapidly – adolescent growth spurt (26). Clinically this can be estimated (with varying degrees of accuracy) by
age (on average, girls grow until 14 years of age and boys until
16 years of age), the menarche status (typically growth is most
rapid in the six months before menarche and ceases, on aver age, two years after menarche) and peak height velocity.
Radiographically, markers for determining remaining growth
include the closure of the triradiate cartilage, the ossification
of the iliac crest apophysis (Risser sign) and various skeletal
markers on the hand or elbow when compared with normal
controls. Finally, curves greater than 30° (27) with an apex
above T12 are more likely to progress