Funding outcome

About 3% of children develop adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a condition where the spine curves as they grow. One of the best ways to predict whether the spinal curve will get worse is to know the child's bone age, which shows how much growing they still have left. Today, bone age is usually measured using X-rays, but repeated X-ray exposure can be a concern for children who need frequent check-ups. This project aims to develop a safe, fast, and radiation-free ultrasound method to measure bone age in children with scoliosis. Ultrasound is already widely used in hospitals, and it does not expose children to radiation. We will also use computer-based tools to improve the accuracy and ease of use for clinicians. Children with scoliosis will be recruited from the Edmonton Scoliosis Clinic. During the visit, an ultrasound probe will scan the back of the child's hand. The scan takes about one minute and captures clear images of the small bones in the hand. These images will be used to estimate bone age by assessing the extent of bone development. Computer programs will be developed to automatically select the best images and measure features related to bone growth. We will compare the ultrasound-based bone age to the standard X-ray bone age to evaluate the accuracy. If successful, this project will provide a safe, quick, and child-friendly way to monitor growth in children with scoliosis. This could reduce the number of X-rays needed, support earlier treatment decisions, and improve care for families in Alberta and beyond.