Understanding the Lenke Classification for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)

Abstract

For over 20 years, the Lenke classification has been used as a standard to describe and classify scoliosis patterns in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Based on this classification, patients are given a treatment recommendation, which is usually surgical. The Lenke classification has proven to be a reliable and reproducible classification for patients with AIS; however, it still proves to be complex in daily clinical practice. This study presents a simple approach to the Lenke classification for AIS patients that is easier to understand and to apply.