Spinal deformity in children

Abstract

The treatment of early onset scoliosis is a challenge because of the need to correct the deformity of the spine without using the traditional systems that require spinal fusion at this age. The conservative treatment of early onset scoliosis with brace is usually not effective but can help to postpone the surgical treatment at a time closer to skeletal maturation. The surgical procedure includes systems that do not fuse the spine but allow for further growth. These systems can be (a) the growing rods, (b) the guided rods and (c) compressive-based. These systems are a good option for the treatment of childhood scoliosis, but as they are not «protected» by a bone spine fusion they are subject to ongoing stress and forces. As a result, there is a higher failure rate of materials compared to the traditional fusion systems.