Post 8-9-2023 Take-away message: Regardless of fixation, whether it be the spine or the ribs, the spine will get stiffer over time with dual magnetically-controlled growing rods.
Category: Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods
Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Use of Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods
In the second-to-last blog post the concept of using Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods (MCGR) was presented for treatment of NeuroMuscular Scoliosis (NMS). In that post the different cranial/upper and the caudal/lower foundations were discussed briefly, and the reasons for why we choose one type over another. In this post the use of proximal screws and distal […]
Recent Publication on Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods
Growing Rod Constructs for Patients with Neuromuscular Scoliosis
This talk was presented at the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium in Orlando, Florida last November 2022. My topic was to talk on patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) who were less than 8 years of age, presenting the argument to do Growing Rod (GR) surgeries, instead of performing a Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF). My opponent was […]
Use of Magnetically-Controlled (MAGEC) Growing Rods in Neuromuscular Scoliosis
In past blog posts we have presented Magnetically-Controlled (MAGEC) Growing Rods. 1) There was the three-part series on the following dates: 3-9-2017 MAGEC: Part 1 5-3-2017 MAGEC: Part 2 5-18-2017 MAGEC: Part 3 2) On 11-28-2021 a study on the use of MAGEC vs. Posterior Spinal Fusion vs. Vertebral Body Tethering in 8-11 year […]
Talking Points for Early-Onset Scoliosis Patients: Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods vs. Shilla Growth-Guidance
In the surgical treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis (EOS) the options boil down to two main constructs: Distraction-Based: this encompasses both Traditional Growing Rods (TGR) and Magnetically-Controlled Growing Rods (MCGR) Growth-Guidance: this is also called the “Shilla Procedure” We will not go into detail about these two spine constructs, but ask you go […]
Recent Publication in The Spine Journal
New publication comparing MAGEC Growing Rods, Posterior Spinal Fusion and Vertebral Body Tether in 8-11 year old scoliosis patients
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2021 Oct 1. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004245. Online ahead of print. Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods (MCGR) Versus Single Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) Versus Vertebral Body Tether (VBT) in Older Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) Patients: How Do Early Outcomes Compare? Catherine Mackey 1, Regina Hanstein, Yungtai Lo, Majella Vaughan, Tricia St Hilaire, Scott J Luhmann, Michael G Vitale, Michael P Glotzbecker, Amer Samdani, Stefan Parent, Jaime […]
What is the best surgery for a patient with Early-Onset Scoliosis (EOS) who needs to have surgery?
This is a question parents commonly ask me in the office. The question is a fair, reasonable question. So why is it so hard for me to give an answer? Well…..EOS is a problem which has many facets or things which need to be considered to be able to optimally answer the question. Every child […]
MAGEC (Part 3)
Follow-up on the reported complications of the MAGEC device. In the last blog post three modes of failure of this device were described: rod breakage, actuator pin breakage (inside the device) and rod breakage. It should be noted that with traditional growing rods, breakage of the rods is a common occurrence, so this problem is […]
MAGEC (Part 2)
In the last posting the MAGEC system for Early Onset Scoliosis was introduced. This system is a significant improvement when compared to Traditional Growing Rods, mainly due to the ability to lengthen the instrumentation without the need for anesthesia or a trip to the operating room. The benefits of this device are easy to see, […]
MAGEC Growing Rods (Part 1)
In the last blog we talked about Growing Rods for the treatment of EOS. The major downside to this treatment method is the need for repetitive anesthesia and open lengthening of the growing rods in the operating room. Over the last 5 years there has been a number of studies assessing the impact of repetitive […]
Growing Rods
As mentioned in earlier blogs, nonsurgical management of early-onset scoliosis (EOS), which can consist of bracing, casting, observation, and physical therapy is usually the primary treatment, especially for mild/moderate curve with no or mild progression. Surgery for EOS is reserved for patients whose deformities are severe and/or progressive, and cannot be or have not been […]