Aims. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and safety of magnetically controlled growth rods in the treatment of early onset scoliosis. Secondary aims were to evaluate the clinical outcome, the rate of further surgery, the rate of complications, and the durability of correction. Patients and Methods. We undertook an observational prospective cohort study of children with early onset scoliosis, who were recruited over a one-year period and followed up for a minimum of two years. Magnetically controlled rods were introduced in a standardized manner with distractions performed three-monthly thereafter. Adverse events which were both related and unrelated to the device were recorded. Ten children, for whom relevant key data points (such as demographic information, growth parameters, Cobb angles, and functional outcomes) were available, were recruited and followed up over the period of the study. There were five boys and five girls. Their mean age was 6.2 years (2.5 to 10). Results. The mean coronal Cobb angle improved from 57.6° (40° to 81°) preoperatively, 32.8° (28° to 46°) postoperatively, and 41° (19° to 57°) at two years. Five children had an adverse event, with four requiring return to theatre, but none were related to the device. There were no neurological complications or infections. No devices failed. One child developed a proximal junctional kyphosis. The mean gain in spinal column height from T1 to S1 was 45.4 mm (24 to 81) over the period of the study. Conclusion. Magnetically controlled growth rods provide an alternative solution to traditional growing rods in the surgical management of children with early onset scoliosis, supporting growth of the spine while controlling curve progression. Their use has clear psychosocial and economic benefits, with the reduction of the need for repeat surgery as required with traditional growing rods. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:507–15

Conventional growing rods are the most commonly used distraction-based devices in the treatment of progressive early-onset scoliosis. This technique requires repeated lengthenings with the patient anaesthetised in the operating theatre. We describe the outcomes and complications of using a non-invasive magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) in children with early-onset scoliosis. Lengthening is performed on an outpatient basis using an external remote control with the patient awake.

Between November 2009 and March 2011, 34 children with a mean age of eight years (5 to 12) underwent treatment. The mean length of follow-up was 15 months (12 to 18). In total, 22 children were treated with dual rod constructs and 12 with a single rod. The mean number of distractions per patient was 4.8 (3 to 6). The mean pre-operative Cobb angle was 69° (46° to 108°); this was corrected to a mean 47° (28° to 91°) post-operatively. The mean Cobb angle at final review was 41° (27° to 86°). The mean pre-operative distance from T1 to S1 was 304 mm (243 to 380) and increased to 335 mm (253 to 400) in the immediate post-operative period. At final review the mean distance from T1 to S1 had increased to 348 mm (260 to 420).

Two patients developed a superficial wound infection and a further two patients in the single rod group developed a loss of distraction. In the dual rod group, one patient had pull-out of a hook and one developed prominent metalwork. Two patients had a rod breakage; one patient in the single rod group and one patient in the dual rod group. Our early results show that the MCGR is safe and effective in the treatment of progressive early-onset scoliosis with the avoidance of repeated surgical lengthenings.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:75–80.

Purpose. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of a remote-operated magnetic growth rod in the treatment of 11 patients with progressive early onset scoliosis (EOS). Introduction. The Growth rod technique (GR) has been a viable treatment option for progressive early onset scoliosis (EOS). However, an increased complication rate has been associated with conventional GR due to frequent surgeries required for lengthening. The safety and efficacy of a remote-operated magnetic growth rod (RO-MGR) has been previously reported in a porcine model. We are reporting the preliminary clinical results of this device which obviates the need for repeated surgeries. Methods. Prospective analysis of early clinical and radiographic data of 11 patients, with EOS, undergoing index RO-MGR treatment and at least 3 distractions. The mean age was 8 years (Range 5-12 years). Four patients had single rod (SR) instrumentation and the remaining 7 had a dual rod (DR) construct. Diagnosis was idiopathic 3, neuromuscular 3, congenital 3, syndromic 1 and neurofibromatosis one. In total, 57 rod distractions were performed. Distractions were performed in the clinic without anesthesia or analgesics. The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 68° (range 46°-108°). The mean preoperative T1-S1 length was 304mm (range 243-361mm). Results. Average distraction was 3.2 per patient. The mean lag before the first distraction was 66 days (28-112) and between distractions was 43 days (42-98). Superficial infection occurred in 1 (SR), prominent rod in 1 (DR), hook pull-out in 1(DR), iatrogenic shortening 1(DR) and loss of length in 2 patients (6/57 rod distraction, 11%, all SR), this loss was regained in subsequent distractions. Apart from a case of proximal rod trimming, no further surgery was required in our group of patients. Mean follow-up was 8 months (6-13). Conclusion. Preliminary results indicate that RO-GR appears to be safe and provided a comparable distraction to the standard GR procedure without the need for repeated open surgeries. No major complications were observed in the short follow up period