How much growth would you expect the fused portion of my spine to have grown had it been left unfused?
Lost growth potential of fused vertebrae after scoliosis surgery is dependent on the age of the patient at the time of surgery. If a patient is extremely young (less than 7 years old), significant loss of height can occur after spinal fusion. When these young fusion patients are adults, there will usually be a significant discrepancy between the size of their torso and the length of their legs. The actual decrease in their overall height will depend on what their potential growth could have been based on other factors such as genetics. In patients with significant scoliosis, height loss also occurs because it is taken up in the curvature. If it is possible, surgeons will elect to delay operations in young patients in an attempt for them to gain maximum growth potential. Sometimes braces can be used to hold the curve until this maximum growth potential is achieved. Unfortunately, if a large curve is rapidly progressing, it is prudent to surgically control the curve despite the potential
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- How much growth would you expect the fused portion of my spine to have grown had it been left unfused?
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