Newer technologies for the treatment of scoliosis in the growing spine

Abstract

Progressive scoliosis in the growing child poses a unique challenge. The surgeon aims to attain maximal curve correction while maintaining spinal and thoracic growth. Nonoperative treatments include bracing and serial casting. The classic surgical treatment has been spine fusion with less than optimal results. This has resulted in the development of fusionless interventions for children with scoliosis. These include growing rods, intervertebral body stapling, and the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib. Each of these offers unique advantages and disadvantages. In this article, the authors review these newer technologies for treatment of the growing spine.