I’m 14-years old and have a major problem with scoliosis. Since I’ve stopped growing, they are going to straighten my spine and fuse it in place. When they do this surgery, how do they get the spine straightened up enough to then hold it in place?

Spinal fusion for pediatric scoliosis can be done using one of three approaches. The anterior spinal fusion (ASF) is done from the front of the spine. The posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is performed from the back of the spine. The third option is a combined anterior and posterior fusion.

With any of these methods, curve correction is done with a series of surgical steps. Discs in between the vertebrae to be fused are removed. Sections of the ribs that have rotated and formed a rib hump may be removed. The surgeon crushes the bone and uses it as graft material for the fusion.

The surgeon uses a variety of derotation and compression-distraction techniques to straighten the spine. In some cases, the rods used along side the spine may hve to be curved or bent if the spine can’t be straightened all the way.

A special brace is worn to maintain the corrected position while the bone graft takes effect and fusion occurs.