First Report on Magnetic Rod by Dr. Arnaud Soubeiran, Dr. Lofti Milad and Dr. Jean Dubousset

This article plus the previous follow-ups of this large group of untreated patients showed that AIS is a unique entity whose natural history is different than that of early onset scoliosis or scoliosis of other etiologies. Untreated AIS does not lead to early disability, or death or the inability to have a normal life. However untreated AIS may lead to increased back pain, cosmetic concerns and in large thoracic curves, pulmonary symptoms. Curves over 50 degrees tend to progress throughout life and curves under 30 degrees at maturity rarely progress. (Weinstein SL et al. Health and Function of Patients with Untreated Idiopathic Scoliosis: A 50- Year Natural History Study. JAMA. 2003; 289 (5):559-567)

In 2003, Dr. Luiz Pimenta popularized the minimally invasive lateral interbody technique referred as XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion). Though initially used for degenerative spine conditions, it was soon realized that the technique could provide a MIS method of performing interbody fusions via small lateral approach for deformity correction. MIS for spine deformity surgery is now a commonly used technique in the adult and aging adult spine deformity patients.

SRS welcomed its first class of Neurosurgeons

The first international member outside of North America, Mr. Michael A. Edgar was elected to the SRS Board of Directors

This system for classification looks at the regions of the spine in a systematic way accounting for coronal and sagittal alignment. Since it was first published ( Lenke LG, Betz RR, Harms J, Bridwell KH, Clements DH, Lowe TG, Blanke K. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A New Classification to Determine Extent of Spinal Arthrodesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001 Aug; 83- A (8):1169-81, the Lenke Classification has been extensively studied for reliability and its ability to guide treatment. It has become the worldwide standard for classifying AIS.

The first Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented to Dr. John E. Hall and Dr. Jacqueline Perry. The SRS chose to begin recognizing the substantial lifetime contributions of members. Dr. Hall and Dr. Perry were both founding members of the society and made many significant contributions over multiple decades.

Early Onset Scoliosis continues to present significant treatment challenges. Technology to allow non-invasive lengthening after the initial surgical implantation may well prove to be a significant advancement for the treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis.