Magnetic growth modulation in orthopaedic and spine surgery.

Purpose: To examine distraction-based methods for treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS), focusing on the magnetically controlled growing rod system (MCGR) relative to traditional growing rod system (TGR). To briefly discuss internal magnetically controlled nails for bone lengthening as another application of magnetic growth modulation.

Results: Relative to TGR, MCGR involves fewer complications related to infection and general anesthesia because of fewer successive surgeries required. Further, MCGR accounts for better psychosocial patient outcome and potentially a lower long-term cost, mainly because of shortened periods of hospitalization. Intramedullary lengthening nails involve fewer complications compared to internal limb lengthening devices related to infections, nerve damage, shortening, improper healing, stiffness, and scarring. Intramedullary lengthening nails appear to alleviate psychosocial burden of patients especially when compared to external fixators.

Conclusions: Although the current gold standard for treating some types of early onset scoliosis (EOS) is the traditional growing rod system, the magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) system is an alternative method for treating EOS. MCGR is promising in that it involves less surgical procedures, shorter hospital stays, and lower long-term cost relative to TGR. Similarly, the use of magnetically controlled intramedullary lengthening nails is a promising alternative to the Ilizarov method for limb lengthening.