Predicting Skeletal Maturity
Factors that can predict spinal curve progression include age at diagnosis and maturity factors including spinal curve size and location, age at menarche and the remaining growth. This is decided by many possible grading scales. Our department has developed a unique distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification that determines a child’s remaining growth using a hand radiograph. The degree of closure of the physis of the distal radius and ulna determines the DRU score and the degree of skeletal maturity. This helps doctors decide when to begin and stop bracing and also when surgery is indicated.