THE ILIAC APOPHYSIS AND THE EVOLUTION OF CURVES IN SCOLIOSIS

Abstract

1. The belief that the cessation of spinal growth and curve progression coincides with the completion of growth in the iliac apophyses has been confirmed in a review of material from 224 cases. This applies also to paralytic curves. 2. In a high number of cases this ossification centre showed an asymmetrical development on the two sides of the pelvis. The appearance of a separate posterior centre of ossification is also common, and probably represents an advanced stage in the growth of the iliac apophysis. 3. Menarche and the growth of the apophyses of the vertebral bodies almost always occurred in advance of the iliac apophyses. They should be regarded as early signs of maturation, not reliable in the prognosis of curve progression. 4. The growth of the iliac apophysis appeared to be unaffected by poliomyelitis.