Correlation of Risser sign and bone age determination in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

At the present, there appears to be a lack of unanimity in the choice of whether the Risser sign (iliac apophysis maturation) or determination of skeletal maturation by bone age roentgenograms is the more accurate indicator of maturity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In an effort to clarify this issue, the authors correlated data from 111 patients to determine the relationship between accuracy of Risser sign and bone age determinations performed during similar chronologic intervals. Data from bone age determinations were then correlated with Risser sign data, and a regression line statistical determination was made. The iliac crest apophysis maturation was statistically significantly (p less than 0.01) correlated with data retrieved by skeletal age assessment.