"King Moe Classification"

[Elisa]

The King Moe classification has been widely utilized in understanding and planning for operative correction.

http://drerrico.com/html/idiopathic.html

I've been browsing through this site and found some interesting information. Scroll down closer to the bottom to the part on "King Moe" classification of curves. Do you guys know which type of curve classification that you have? I just found the site rather interesting, especially the part on the different types of curves. I wonder which type my son is and am really curious now.

[Pooka1]

That's an interesting site. Not all researchers would agree with all the statements on it though.

Another curve classification scheme that surgeons use is the Lenke system...

http://www.spinal-deformity-surgeon....ification.html

Click on the curve types and criteria.

I think my one daughter had a Type 1A- (straight thoracic) and the other had a Type 1C- (false double).

I'm going to try to remember to ask at the next appointment which will be the last for my one daughter.

[Elisa]

I had a quick look at that site Pooka but will have to look closer when I get back from work. Just out of curiosity and for the sake of discussion, what material in that site do you think that some researchers wouldn't agree on?

I'm 'guessing' my son's curve classification is a King Moe IV. Of course we won't know until he is properly diagnosed so feel free to guess away.

King-Moe Type IV

The King Moe type IV curve is a very long thoracic curve with a marked trunk decompensation. It is not until the lower lumbar region, usually at L4 that the curve reaches back to the midline. The L4 vertebral body still tilts into the curve. These long C-shaped thoracic or thoracolumbar curves really lend themselves best to treatment via a posterior instrumentation. The correct level inferiorly will depend on the bending films to determine which of the lower lumbar vertebra completely bends backward to the neutral position.

[Pooka1]

I had a quick look at that site Pooka but will have to look closer when I get back from work. Just out of curiosity and for the sake of discussion, what material in that site do you think that some researchers wouldn't agree on?

For the most part, that site is one of the best I have ever seen so it was great you posted it.

The site contains the following statement: "Once initiated the overall failure rate for bracing is approximately 40%."

I haven't come across that number ever and I wonder where he got it. I think it is high.

The best that is known as far as I know is the following:

70% treated unnecessarily (curve would not have progressed anyway)
20% brace failed (curve progressed anyway though there are significant compliance issues marring this result)
10% brace appeared to hold curve at least in the short term but the long term remains an unknown

I'm 'guessing' my son's curve classification is a King Moe IV. Of course we won't know until he is properly diagnosed so feel free to guess away.

I think your son is a King Moe III (pure thoracic).

[Elisa]

I guess since my son's scoliosis is so severe, I haven't really read much on bracing so I tend to skip over all that stuff. Interesting though.

Okay, you think he is a type III Pooka: "pure thoracic". Well, out of all the misery that's been going on (mostly in my head) with his scoliosis this is actually one little positive thing that his curve might only be contained to the middle spine and not the neck or lumbar. I guess we'll wait and see what the experts say.

King-Moe Type III

The King Moe type III curve is a thoracic curve with minimal or no decompensation. In other words this is a single primary thoracic curve. The lumbar curve, while present is less in magnitude and does not cross the midline. These King Moe type III curves lend themselves to shorter, pure thoracic fusions either through the posterior approach or through an anterior approach.

Oh, before I head off to work and this has nothing to do with curves but yesterday I came across a Shriner's hospital in Spokane Washington who also deal with scoliosis so I was wondering why we're working on going down to Portland Oregon. Anyone know?

[Elisa]

Lenke's site is very interesting and he is obviously a VERY smart man. His 'classification' table is definitely harder to figure out than King Moe though, haha.

[Pooka1]

Lenke is considered a god-like entity even among heathen pagan aztec atheists like myself.