Risser 5 is the last Risser sign. It indicates skeletal maturity. An x-ray will show complete ossification and fusion of the iliac crest apophysis. For our final feature on Risser sign, we’ll share the story of a local fifteen-year-old girl with a severe scoliosis who first came to see us as a Risser 5, more… Read More
Risser 4 indicates ossification of the iliac crest apophysis at 75% or more. “Capping” from lateral to medial (outside to inside) is nearly complete and skeletal maturity is approaching. From our perspective, there is more to say about Risser 4 than the other Risser stages. This is due to our use of different management techniques,… Read More
When a pelvic x-ray shows about 50-75% ossification of the iliac crest apophysis (from the outside to inside), this indicates Risser 3. As with Risser 2, this growth stage indicates continued but slowing growth, especially for girls. For boys, growth tends to be slow and steady throughout puberty – although this isn’t always the case. … Read More
When a child has reached the Risser 2 stage, ossification of the iliac crest apophysis (top of the pelvis) is between 25% and 50% complete. This ossification occurs from lateral to medial (outside to inside, as shown below). Risser 2 means that the child is still growing, but by this point the rate of growth… Read More
Continuing with our Risser theme, today we’ll highlight Risser 1. At the Risser 1 stage of growth, a pelvic x-ray will show up to 25% ossification, or “capping” at the top of the iliac crest apophysis from lateral to medial (outside to inside). Girls typically reach Risser 1 just after menses occurs, however, that’s not a… Read More
Risser sign is one indicator that should be considered during the management of scoliosis. Risser 0 is the first Risser stage when ossification of the epiphyseal plate over the iliac crest has not yet begun. In simpler terms, new bone has not yet started forming at the top of the pelvis – indicating significant remaining growth…. Read More
In 1958, Joseph C. Risser, published his findings on growth and the completion of growth in a paper entitled, “The Iliac Apophysis: An Invaluable Sign in the Management of Scoliosis.” His findings led to the Risser sign classification system used to assess skeletal maturity. While Risser sign is still used today by doctors to estimate… Read More
