A Review: The Use of Growing Rods to Treat Scoliosis in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that compromises motor strength and function and typically manifests in childhood. Patients with significant involvement will often develop scoliosis of neuromuscular origin as young children. In the past, brace treatment was of minimal benefit in halting curve progression and frequently added to respiratory compromise. Early spinal fusion surgery would limit trunk or sitting height and impair normal lung development. The strategy of using the growing rod distraction technique to permit longitudinal spinal growth while managing the spinal deformity has emerged as a viable means of managing scoliosis and spinal deformity in this challenging patient population.