Assessment of Skeletal Maturity Using Proximal Femoral Epiphysis in Patients With Scoliosis

April 27, 2026 updated by: Dr. Jason Pui Yin Cheung, The University of Hong Kong

Validation of the Assessment of Skeletal Maturity Using Femoral Head in Patients With Idiopathic Scoliosis and Its Clinical Implications

This study aims to explore the use of proximal femoral head for the assessment of skeletal maturity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The aim is to validate the use of the stages of proximal femoral epiphyseal closure in assessing pubertal growth landmarks in this patient cohort. The grading system of this skeletal maturity index will be established and its reliability and reproducibility in clinical use will be examined.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

There are multiple skeletal maturity measures currently in use which were established with reliability in assessing growth. The advantages and shortcomings of each index was previously examined. This study aims to explore the use of proximal femoral epiphysis, which is in close proximity of the radiographic field of the spine, in assessing the growth status of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The stages of the proximal femoral epiphyseal ossification has been established with specific definitions. The reliability and reproducibility of using these gradings will be examined by orthopaedic surgeons. Subsequently, the assessment of different pubertal growth landmarks using these gradings will be validated, and to see whether these gradings can provide indications of peak growth and growth cessation. Finally, the relationships of such growth assessment using this proximal femoral epiphysis ossification (PFEO) system and the curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis will be studied.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

70

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
        • Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

6 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients presented to our tertiary scoliosis clinic with referral for specialist consultation of scoliosis - we particularly focus on scoliosis of idiopathic nature

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Idiopathic scoliosis
  • Open triradiate cartilage or open distal radius epiphysis without capping

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Non-idiopathic scoliosis
  • Patients with growth hormone deficiency or developmental delay
  • Patient has not reached skeletal maturity
  • Defaulted and lost to follow-up

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
PFEO stages
Time Frame: 8 to 18 years
Grade 1 to Grade 6
8 to 18 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Growth parameters
Time Frame: 8 to 18 years
Standing body height
8 to 18 years
Growth parameters
Time Frame: 8 to 18 years
Arm span
8 to 18 years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Curve progression
Time Frame: 8 to 18 years
Coronal Cobb angle
8 to 18 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

The University of Hong Kong

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 31, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 2, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 5, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

February 9, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 27, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • FVersion 1.0

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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