Growing Rod Surgery

For children who are still growing and have not reached skeletal maturity, growing rod implant surgery is often the recommended treatment to correct the spinal curve and allow continued growth of the spine.

Growing rod surgery is done through the back of the spine. In most cases, the curve in the child's back is spanned by one or two rods under the skin to avoid damaging the growth tissue of the spine. The rods are attached to the spine at two spots — above and below the curve.

Every six months, the child returns to the Hospital to have the rods expanded to keep up with the child's growth. When the child has finished growing, generally the rods are removed and a spinal fusion is performed.