Spine
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A retrospective study investigated the progression risk of juvenile scoliosis until skeletal maturity or spinal fusion. ⋯ Curve pattern, Cobb angle at onset of puberty, and curve progression velocity are strong predictive factors of curve progression. Juvenile scoliosis > 30 degrees increases rapidly and presents a 100% prognosis for surgery (curve > 40 degrees to 45 degrees ). Anticipation is necessary if the scoliosis progresses during the first year of puberty. The prediction is difficult for curves of 21 degrees to 30 degrees during the first 2 years of puberty. Curve pattern and curve progression velocity are useful to detect which curves are likely to progress. From this retrospective analysis, spinal fusion could have been indicated earlier sometimes. An earlier intervention is probably preferable to obtain better curve reduction on a supple spine, even if a perivertebral fusion is necessary. We use the 3 parameters for operative indications. If an early spinal fusion leads to better curve correction needs to be verified on prospective data.