Infantile Scoliosis

Infantile Scoliosis: Surgery
Hemi-epiphysiodesis

This surgical procedure is aimed at stopping abnormal growth on one side of the spine with the hope that continued growth on the other side will result in correction of the curve over time. Every curve has a concave and convex side. (need image here) If the growth centers are removed and spinal fusion is performed on the convex side, the concave side might continue to grow, possibly improving the curve. As noted, these procedures can be unpredictable in young children with abnormal vertebrae in their back.

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The Scoliosis Research Society provides information on these web pages regarding research and links as a public service. The SRS believes that patients should contact their treating physician about the relevance of any information listed on the site prior to proceeding with any particular treatment. Just as no two individuals are exactly alike, no two patients with a spinal deformity are the same. Therefore, your spinal deformity surgeon will be the most important source of information about the management of your particular spinal problem.