Etiology of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Current Trends and Relevance to New Treatment Approaches

This book outlines knowledge and hypotheses of the causation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). It begins with Sevastik and Stokes addressing terminology. It includes the epidemiology and demography of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the role of genetic factors, hypothesis of causation, osteopenia, Hueter-Votkmann effect, and the role of the intervertebral disc. It analyzes the structure and composition of the cartilage end plate and intervertebral disc, the significance of the sternum, the thoracospinal concept of etiopathogenesis of adolescent scoliosis, and the skeletal growth.