In January 2021 the International Research Society of Spinal Deformities (IRSSD) held its bi-annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Originally the meeting was scheduled in Milwaukee at an iconic Milwaukee hotel, the Pfister, but the pandemic intervened and necessitated the transition of the meeting to a virtual format. Even so, the meeting allowed interaction and open discussion amongst practitioners from around the world.

The IRSSD is an outgrowth of a group of researchers who met in 1980 to discuss surface topography and other techniques for assessment of trunk deformity. The society has always been multi-disciplinary in nature, and over the years there was seen to be a need to broaden the scope of the meeting, which led to the formation of the IRSSD.

Initially the groups emphasis was on surface topography but the society now studies a variety of methods to assess the 3D deformity of scoliosis, including EOS 3D reconstruction.

The IRSSD concentrates on research in spinal deformity with clinical applications. In addition to 3D assessment of the spine, researchers also explore spinal biomechanics, etiopathogenesis, and innovative conservative and surgical therapies. The goal is to integrate basic science with clinical care to improve patient care.

The first IRSSD meeting was held in 1996 in Sweden, hosted by John Sevastick. The second meeting was held in 1998 in Vermont and was hosted by Ian Stokes. The third meeting was held in 2000 in Clermont Ferrand, France, hosted by Alain Tanguy and Bernard Peuchot. The fourth in 2002 in Athens, Greece, organized by Dr. Theodoros B. Grivas.

Since then, the society has met in multiple countries around the world.

For the meeting we were lucky to have four keynote speakers of international note…

Patrick Cahill, MD; The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Pulmonary Outcomes in Pediatric Spinal Deformity Surgery

Stefan Parent, MD, PhD; Sainte-Justine Hospital

Optimizing Surgical Results of Vertebral Body Tethering

Brandon Rebholz, MD; Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

Adaptation of Emerging Technologies in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery

Carol Wise, PhD; Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

What Causes AIS? Ask the Genome!

We also hosted 4 symposia on current controversies with experts in the field…

Eliminating 2D Spinal Assessments and Embracing 3D and 4D

Patrick Knott, PhD, PA-C, Xue-Cheng Liu, MD, PhD, and Saba Pasha, PhD

Gait and Posture Analysis in Scoliosis-Implications for Clinical Practice

Nachi Chockalingham, PhD, Ram Haddas, PhD, Robert Needham, PhD, and Thomas Shannon, PhD

Future Generation of Brace

Carl-Eric Aubin, PhD, PE, Man-Sang Wong, PhD, and Luke Stikeleather, CO

Bracing for the Early Onset Scoliosis

Timothy Hresko, MD, Channing Tassone, MD, John Thometz, MD, and Jim Wynne, CO

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host this meeting. I would especially like to thank my co-chairman, Dr. Xue-Cheng Liu. His excellent skills in both the clinical and basic science research arena, along with his tireless efforts and outstanding productivity, made this meeting a success. The book is meant to further the mission of the IRSSD in expanding the scope of scoliosis research.

John Thometz

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

USA

March 16, 2021