For children who are still growing and have not reached skeletal maturity, a growth-friendly option is preferable when treating spinal curves. Growing rod implant surgery is often the recommended treatment to correct the spinal curve and allow continued growth of the spine.

In growing rod surgery, the curve in your child's back is spanned by one or two rods next to the spine. The rods are attached above and below the curve. The growing rods help guide spinal growth and drive your child's spine straight.  

As your child grows, they will return to CHOP at a regular interval, often every six to twelve months, for outpatient surgery to have the growing rods expanded. This approach minimizes spinal deformity, maximizes spine growth and allows continued lung development as your child grows. 

When the child has finished growing, generally the rods are removed and a spinal fusion is performed.

Our surgeons have pioneered the use of magnetically adjustable growing rods. These rods can be adjusted in the doctor’s office without the need for a surgery or general anesthesia. This technology has greatly reduced the number of surgeries growing rod patients require.