Orthopaedic Surgery for Scoliosis: Evaluating the Efficacy of Spinal Fusion, Growing Rods, and Other Correction Techniques

¹Ali Raza, ²Mobeen ALI, ³Dr Muhammad Azeem Akhund, ⁴Dr Kishore Kumar khatri, ⁵Mohib Ali, ⁶Umar Raza

¹PIMS

²PIMS

³Associate professor department of orthopedic surgery and traumatology PUMHS W Nawabshah ⁴Assistant professor Department of orthopedic surgery and traumatology PUMHS Nawabshah ⁵PIMS

⁶PIMS

Vol 15-02

Submission: 10th January 2025, Acceptance: 8th September 2025, Publication: 13th October 2025

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis is a complex spinal deformity which if not well managed is likely to progress and consequently negatively affect the patients. Spinal fusion, growing rods and other innovative methodologies including vertebral body tethering (VBT), are some surgical ways with their advantages and disadvantages.

Aim: The present research was intended to provide a comparison between different surgical approaches for the treatment of scoliosis based on the ideas of clinical results, functional enhancements, and quality of life, in order to determine the best approach to use in patients.

Method: In this case, a convergence of retrospective and prospective methods was used in form of systematic review of patients’ data. Patients and Potential Techniques described included spinal fusion, standard growing rods, MCGR and VBT. Variables collected pre-operatively and post-operatively included Cobb angle, patient generated outcome surveys in terms of Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS22) and short form 36 (SF36), as well as complications and costs. Qualitative data gathered from the survey were analysed and compared using t-test, ANOVA and paired t-test for contrast between techniques.

Results: Surgically and clinically, spinal fusion provided the greatest long-term correction stability, retaining 95% correction percentage after five years. MCGR performed as well as fusion did and decreased the number of surgeries needed, while VBT maintained spinal lordosis but there was loss of correction in few cases. The patient-rated efficacy of all the techniques elevated but spinal fusion and MCGR had the most excellent diminution of pain and unhappiness levels. Complication rates of traditional growing rods were the highest, and the overall complication rates were significantly higher than those of minimally invasive growing rods. Overall, it was found out that MCGR and VBT were cheaper in cases of dynamic management especially in paediatric patients.

Conclusion: Most conservative options avail for scoliosis treatment are beneficial in mild imager or flexible curves; however, spinal fusion is still considered the best treatment suitable for rigid and severe curves, especially in adults. VBT continues to offer a cleaner solution for moderate scoliosis, preserving the spinal motion and flexibility. Treatment should be personalized depending on the patient’s profile and aims at improving the results of ASPS and refining underwent surgical procedures.

Keywords: Scoliosis, Spinal Fusion, Growing Rods, Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods, Vertebral Body Tethering, Surgical Techniques, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cobb Angle, Patient Outcomes, Cost-

Effectiveness.