Magnetic Growth Rods

Magnetic growth rods are titanium rods that contain small magnets. They are attached to your child’s spine during surgery to brace the spine and help prevent the spinal curvature from getting worse.

If your child’s scoliosis is severe or worsening before the age of 10, surgery may be recommended. In teens who need scoliosis surgery, a spinal fusion is used to permanently correct the curvature of the spine, but in youngers kids, we must allow for the spine to continue to grow.

One of the ways we can accomplish this is through the use of magnetic growth rods. Magnetic growth rods are titanium rods that contain small magnets. They are attached to your child’s spine during surgery to brace the spine and help prevent the spinal curvature from getting worse.

As your child’s grows, the magnetic growth rods will be lengthened. Your child’s orthopedic surgeon will lengthen the rods without surgery using an external magnetic remote control. This will be done on an outpatient basis and your child will be able to return to normal activities right away, as recommended. The use of magnetic growth rods instead of other types of growth rods eliminates the need for additional surgeries to lengthen the rods.

Your child’s orthopedic surgeon will advise if magnetic growth rods are recommended based on your child’s spinal curvature, remaining growth and other factors.