Is Idiopathic Scoliosis Idiopathic?

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) with a prevalence of 3% 5.2% among children [1]. Disease progression and sequelae depend on the location, severity, and rate of progression of the curve. Curves tend to progress most rapidly during growth phases [1,2]. Treatments and are focused on early bracing to stem curve progression and surgical curve correction. Despite a concordance rate of 73% in monozygous twins, familial clustering, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) the etiologies of AIS development and progression have remained largely unknown [1-4]. Historically, the lack of etiopathogenesis has been attributed to genetic heterogeneity and lack of adequate animal models.