Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) and Scoliosis Tethering in Florida

While surgery is always the last resort for stopping the progression of scoliosis curves, patients in the growing years can benefit from vertebral body tethering (VBT) and scoliosis tethering.  This is especially true when non-surgical responses haven’t successfully halted curve progression.

While spinal fusion is the more established response, this method tends to stiffen the spine.  With VBT, patients retain spine mobility.

Significantly less invasive than other methodologies, VBT modulates the growth of bone during growth spurts.  This is when adolescent patients tend to see the curvature progress quickly.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that VBT can also be a great help to patients who are either experiencing little skeletal growth or none at all (depending largely on the flexibility of the patient’s spine).

Let’s read more about vertebral body tethering (VBT) and scoliosis tethering in Florida.

Slowing Bone Growth

The practice of VBT grew out of the Hueter-Volkmann principle, which sets out that bone which is put under pressure grows more slowly, becoming more resilient and denser as it continues to grow.

This feature is aimed at surgically addressing imbalance caused by the scoliosis curvature.  As the curve progresses, the bone on its interior grows more slowly than the bone on its exterior.  This is what leads to a wedge deformity.

VBT is now seen as the most effective intervention for scoliosis patients and has outcomes superior to spinal fusion interventions.  This is because of VBT’s ability to maintain flexibility in the spine, while allowing normal growth to continue.  There’s also the benefit of ongoing curve correction over time.

As we said earlier, this surgery is very effective for patients in their growing years and who are over age 10.  In addition, VBT can be applied to curves of between 40 and 70 degrees and in some cases, used to treat younger children and patients who’ve stopped growing, who want to avoid spinal fusion.

Less Invasive Alternative

Vertebral body tethering requires 1 or 2 very small incisions and uses imaging technology to direct the surgeon’s hands.  This factor alone reduces serious complications associated with all types of surgery, especially infection.

Titanium screws are then inserted.  These are coated with a substance replicating the composition of human bone, which helps it meld with the vertebrae implicated.

A flexible cord rod is then inserted, pulled through the screws and tensed to begin the process of mitigating the scoliosis curve.

The patient is ready to return home in 3- 5 days.  In 6 weeks, ready to play sports.

In those six weeks, the titanium screws will have fused with the vertebrae, establishing a stable structure for curve correction.

Scoliosis & Spine Associates

Our clinic director Dr. Baron Lonner is an internationally-recognized expert in the field of scoliosis surgery, research and innovation.  With 20 years’ experience in this approach, he’s in the vanguard of vertebral body tethering (VBT) and scoliosis tethering in Florida.

We welcome you to book an appointment to discuss how this game-changing intervention can improve quality of life for your child living with scoliosis.