A new study published in Spinal Deformity examines the health-related quality of life in patients with early onset scoliosis. The study authors compared patients who were treated with traditional growing rods to those who were treated with magnetically-controlled growing rods.
The researchers found:
1. The average Early Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire score for the economic burden and overall satisfaction was higher among the patients who underwent the procedure with magnetically controlled growing rods as opposed to the traditional growing rods.
2. When adjusting for the number of lengthenings, the economic burden and the overall satisfaction of the magnetically-controlled growing rod group was significantly higher than the traditional group.
3. The physical activity score was significantly higher for the magnetically controlled growing rod group than the traditional growing rod group when controlling for the number of lengthenings.
4. The technique scores were similar between the two procedures, suggesting "the TGR is far from being obsolete at this time," according to the study authors.
5. The study authors concluded the health-related quality of life data shows magnetically-controlled growing rods present an economic advantage with higher patient satisfaction.