Our six-year old child has severe scoliosis. She has already had four operations and is expected to have many more. Right now they are using special rods on either side of the spine that “grow” along with her. An operation is needed every time the rods must be lengthened. I’ve heard there’s a way to lengthen the rods by remote control. What can you tell me about this?

Doctors and parents are concerned about how many and how invasive surgeries are for some children with scoliosis. Researchers are actively looking for better and easier ways to manage this problem.

The recent development of a dual growing rod system has helped reduce problems with scar adhesion and rod breakage. It also makes it possible for the child’s spine to continue growing. Fusion can be delayed by as much as 10 years or more.

In the late 1990s Japanese scientists tried using a remote control system to lengthen the rods without surgery. The rod contained a motor attached to a radio-controlled receiver. Experiments were done on dogs. Problems occurred with the size of the implants. The receiver had to be put inside the abdominal cavity. No further results have been published.

In the meantime other methods of treatment remain under investigation. Staples along the anterior (front) portion of the spine are being used to stop uneven growth. Rib replacements are available now for children with absent or fused ribs. Studies are underway to reduce the number of operations needed. Finding less invasive ways of scoliosis correction is another goal of research.