Medical Health Encyclopedia

Others argue that without an operation, the back will become unstable and painful. In addition, most studies on adults report on procedures using the old Harrington instrumentation techniques. Advances in instrumentation are increasing success rates in adults.

In fact, in a 2002 study, for example, excellent results were obtained in adults who underwent anterior fusion and instrumentation. In a 2003 study of newer generation instrumentation, 87% of adult patients reported satisfaction. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted on the best approach to this problem, which is increasing in numbers as women who had been surgically treated in childhood get older.

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Wedge Osteotomy. In patients with mature spines, wedge osteotomy is being investigated as corrective surgery and as an alternative to braces. In this procedure, wedges of bone from the concave side of the curve. They then straighten the spine by closing the cut section. The patient needs to have a temporary rod in place and to wear a brace and restrict activity for about 12 weeks or until the bone has healed. The rod is removed and the spine is mobile. The safety and effectiveness of this procedure is being studied.