THE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY A Family Survey

The diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis is made after other known causes of the deformity have been excluded. This paper does not deal with scoliosis resulting from vertebral anomalies, nor with that associated with conditions of known genetic etiology, such as neurofibromatosis, Marfan’s syndrome or muscular dystrophy. Also, the diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis is only made when the curve is structural, that is, when vertebral rotation accompanies the lateral curve. This is a clinical feature, made evident as the individual bends forwards to touch his toes, when a “ rib hump” appears (Fig. 1). The aim of this study was to establish the family incidence of the deformity in 114 patients and to compare this with the incidence in the general population. This would indicate if there is a concentration of the deformity within families and would give some guide as to the nature of any genetic factor involved. In addition, the patients were subdivided by age of onset of the curve, whether the deformity resolved or progressed, and whether it was accompanied by any other developmental anomaly. By comparing the figures from the family survey in each of these groups it is possible to obtain some evidence as to