Description

A young patient with scoliosis may be treated using a growing rod prosthesis (spinal instrumentation without fusion). The growing rod may fracture, especially if certain risk factors are present as reported by Yang et al. The authors are from Johns Hopkins Medical Center and multiple hospitals in the United States and Turkey.


 

Patient selection: scoliosis patient with one or more growng rods

 

Features of the rod:

(1) narrow diameter to the rod

(2) single growing rod

(3) growing rod made of stainless steel

 

Features of the tandem connectors:

(1) short tandem connectors

 

There was an increased risk for rod fracture at a point in close proximity to a tandem connector.

 

Patient-related risk factors:

(1) a history of a previous rod fracture

(2) a patient who could ambulate independently prior to surgery

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.