“Fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using the newer generation spine implants appears to spare functional disc degeneration and allows patients ten years out to have a relatively normal pain free lifestyle,” said Daniel Green, MD, the study’s lead author, in an HSS release.
The modern surgery allows the spine to be corrected in a more natural, physiologic way. HSS researchers examined 20 patients who received surgical correction at HSS. New MRIs were taken and compared to the ones taken before surgery.
The researchers found that the area adjacent to the fusion was healthy and didn’t show any major degeneration after 10 years. The patients also reported good functional scores and maintenance balance. There were no reports of significant lower back pain and none of the patients took analgesic medications for pain.
Read the HSS news release about spinal fusion surgery for patients with scoliosis.
Read other coverage on scoliosis surgery:
– 8 Leaders in Scoliosis Surgery to Know
– Improving Scoliosis Treatment: Q&A With Dr. Vincent Arlet, Developer of Scolisoft Scoliosis Database
