25 in 25 Scoliosis Initiative: Reducing Scoliosis Fusion Surgeries by 25% in 25 years. Scoliosis Fusion Surgery, potentially beneficial in some severe cases, is the most invasive scoliosis treatment methodology currently offered to patients. The long-term complications of the procedure are well documented and patient benefit is often disputed in the literature making a less ideal form of treatment. Advancements in the understanding of the scoliosis condition have led to developments in less invasive non-spinal fusion treatments that offer the real possibility of significantly reducing the number of spinal fusion surgeries for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the near future. ***The 25 in 25 Scoliosis Initiative is a comprehensive and collaborative effort by the Orthopedic and Chiropractic communities to reduce the number of scoliosis fusion surgeries by 25% in 25 years. **** We are hoping to accomplish this goal through.... 1. Public awareness of scoliosis on the effects of the condition, common myths, and the need to find early stage scoliosis interventions to prevent the need for scoliosis fusion surgery. 2. Proactive Parent Empowerment by knowing the most common profiles of early stage scoliosis patients, at home screening procedures, prognostic test available, and a complete and unbiased list of early stage scoliosis intervention opportunities. 3. Encouraging and promoting prognostic testing for scoliosis to identify children whom are most “at risk” for curve progression 4. Early Stage Scoliosis Intervention opportunities such as specialized exercise programs, scoliosis activity suit or bracing, neurotransmitter supplementation, and minimally invasive non-fusion surgical procedures. Attached is a sheet from Dr. Randall Betz, who pioneered vertebral body stapling and tethering, that outlines who would be a good candidate for each procedure. You are welcome to contact his admin, Janet Cerrone, to see if your case would qualify for either VBS or VBT.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:30:50 +0000