**3. Illustrative case reports**

Case 1: 15-year-old male presented with a Lenke type 1 curve of 48°, Risser sign was 3 (**Figure 3A**). The curve was considered too big to be controlled by bracing. He was subjected to surgery with ApiFix®. The procedure lasted about an hour, and blood loss was negligible. Hospitalization was 2 days. Initially, the curve was reduced to 26° (**Figure 3B**). After 3 months of performing the designated exercises, the curve was reduced to 18° (**Figure 3C**).

The patient is pain-free and satisfied with his cosmetic appearance.

Case 2: An 11-year-old female presented with a Lenke type 5 curve T8–L2 of 20° Risser 0. Family history revealed that her elder sister who also had AIS underwent posterior spine fusion from T4–L1. A TLSO was prescribed but the curve progressed to 43° during a period of 2 years (**Figure 4A**). At age 13, she underwent surgery with ApiFix® between T8–L1 (**Figure 4B**). The surgery lasted 50 min, and blood loss was insignificant. The immediate postoperative Cobb angle was 24°. She began exercises and the rod had elongated considerably with the exercises. At 9 months, the curve measured 20° (**Figure 4C**). Angle trunk rotation as measured by the Scoliometer was reduced from 7° preoperatively to 2° after surgery (**Figure 4D1** and**D2**).
