FIGURE 5-16 The four major curve patterns in idiopathic scoliosis. (From Bowden, VR, Dickey, SB, and Greenberg, CS: Children and Their Families: The Continuum of Care. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1999, p 1271.)

THORACIC 90% occur on the left side at T-11	LUMBAR 70% occur on the left side at L-1 or lower
THORACOLUMBAR 80% occur on the right side at T-11 - T-12	DOUBLE MAJOR Usually involves right-sided and lef-sided lumbar curves

Curve location is determined by the level of the apical vertebra