Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2017. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Apr 18, 2017; 8(4): 295-300
Published online Apr 18, 2017. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v8.i4.295
Growing spine deformities: Are magnetic rods the final answer?
Ashok N Johari, Amit S Nemade
Ashok N Johari, Amit S Nemade, Enable International Center for Paediatric Musculoskeletal Care, Mumbai 400016, India
Author contributions: Both authors equally contributed to this paper with conception and design of the study, literature review and analysis, drafting and critical revision and editing, and final approval of the final version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No potential conflicts of interest. No financial support.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Correspondence to: Dr. Ashok N Johari, Director, Enable International Center for Paediatric Musculoskeletal Care, 2nd Floor, Bobby Apartments, 143 L.J. Road, Mahim (West), Mumbai 400016, India. drashokjohari@hotmail.com
Telephone: +91-22-24365050
Received: August 28, 2016
Peer-review started: August 29, 2016
First decision: November 21, 2016
Revised: November 24, 2016
Accepted: December 27, 2016
Article in press: December 28, 2016
Published online: April 18, 2017
Processing time: 232 Days and 0.2 Hours
Abstract

Treatment paradigms for Early Onset Scoliosis have changed from fusion to fusionless methods as the harmful effects of early fusion on the growing spine and thorax were realized. Magnetic rods are a recent addition to fusionless technology for controlling scoliosis in a growing spine. The clinical evidence base on magnet driven growth rods (MDGR) has accumulated over the last 4 years. It has implications for reduction in the number of repeat surgeries required with similar complications as the traditional growth rods (TGR) and at a higher initial cost. However in terms of patient psyche and avoidance of repeat surgeries which are necessary with the TGR, MDGR treatment works out less expensive in the long run with definitely better patient comfort. The authors look at the available literature coupled with their own experience to discuss the current status, limitations and future prospects for this type of technology.

Keywords: Growing spine; Magnet driven growth rods; Magnetic growth rods; Growth rods; Early Onset Scoliosis

Core tip: This editorial focuses on the current status of magnet driven growth rods in the management of Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS). The editorial gives a background of this technology vis a vis the traditional growth rods and looks at the advantages, limitations and complications associated with the magnetic growth rods. Also its effects on lung function and cost comparison with the traditional growth rods is made. The authors attempt to answer the question “Are magnetic growth rods the final answer for EOS?” in the light of the world literature and personal experience on the above subject.