Scoliosis and other deformities of the spine may affect an individual’s posture, movement, and overall well-being. The deformities are normally fixed by surgery to straighten abnormal curvature of the spine and achieve normal alignment. The success of Spinal Deformity Correction procedures such as spinal fusion and vertebral body tethering (VBT) is highly dependent on the precision and effectiveness of surgical instruments and implants.

Improvements in scoliosis surgery have also included better instruments and implants, i.e., rods, screws, and tethering systems, to help straighten and keep the spine as flexible as possible.

We are going to outline in this blog the most significant devices employed for Spinal Deformity Correction, the reason behind, and how these devices help achieve stable long-term results.

1. Spinal Rods: The Backbone of Scoliosis Correction

Spinal rods are crucial components of scoliosis surgery. Metalimplants, such as rods,  structural support to correct the spine and maintain it in its corrected position. Rods are utilized by surgeons to stabilize the spine while vertebrae fuse over time.

Types of Spinal Rods

There are several kinds of spinal rods employed based on the patient’s age, spine flexibility, and curvature severity:

• Titanium Rods: Light in weight, biocompatible, and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for long-term implantation.
• Balt-Chromium Rods: Stiffer and stronger than titanium, offering higher precision in spinal alignment.
• Stainless Steel Rods: Less commonly utilized today but still noted in some situations where added rigidity is needed.
• Growing Rods: Flexible rods are utilized in children at an early age with scoliosis so that spinal growth can occur while correction is maintained.
• Magnetetically Controlled Growing Rods (MCGR): These can be externally controlled non-surgically post-OP through the use of a remote control, decreasing the number of additional procedures.

How Spinal Rods Work in Scoliosis Surgery

Spinal rods are anchored to the vertebrae with pedicle screws, hooks, or wires. Once in place, the rods straighten the spine and maintain it in position as the bones slowly fuse together.

Why Accuracy is Important in Spinal Rod Placement

Properly positioned rods:

✔ Make for an equilibrium and balanced correction of the spine.

✔ Help alleviate stress in surrounding vertebrae to prevent complications later.

✔ Help to eliminate the requirement for revision surgery.

Misplacement of spinal rods or insecure rods causes complications, including rod breakage, loss of correction, and persistent pain. High-quality rods and exacting instrumentation therefore make the process of scoliosis surgery effective.

2. Pedicle Screws: Securing the Spinal Correction

Pedicle screws are another essential element in spinal fusion surgery. These durable, threaded devices are placed in the vertebral pedicles to stabilize the spinal rods and secure them.

Types of Pedicle Screws

• Polyaxial Screws: Feature a mobile head that enables surgeons to set the rod’s angle, which makes implantation more versatile.
• Monoaxial Screws: Provide rigid fixation with rigid head, used commonly in isolated segments of the spine where extra stability is desired.
• Reduction Screws: Permits longer heads for protrusion of displaced vertebrae into their proper place prior to ultimate locking.
• Cannulated Screws: Hollow-core screws to permit insertion using the guidance of a Kirschner wire (K-wire) for increased accuracy.

The Role of Pedicle Screws in Spinal Deformity Correction

Pedicle screws function by stabilizing the spinal rods, spreading forces evenly throughout the spine, and minimizing stress to specific vertebrae.

Benefits of Pedicle Screws

• Offer rigid fixation, enabling quicker bone fusion.
• Enable more accurate correction of the curvature of the spine.
• Enhance patient mobility after surgery by allowing a stable correction.

Importance of Proper Screw Positioning

Improperly placed pedicle screws can result in:

• Nerve damage, which causes pain or paralysis.
• Loosening of screws, resulting in loss of correction.
• Instability of the spine, needing additional surgery.

To ensure precision, surgeons use fluoroscopy, intraoperative navigation, and robotic systems to precisely position pedicle screws.

3. Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT): A Motion-Preserving Option

Younger patients with moderate to severe scoliosis have a less invasive option with vertebral body tethering (VBT), a less rigid alternative to conventional spinal fusion. VBT preserves spinal growth and mobility, unlike stiff spinal rods.

How Vertebral Body Tethering Works

• A tether is attached to the vertebral bodies using specialized bone screws.
• The tether is pulled tight on one side of the spine, gradually pulling the curved vertebrae into alignment as the patient grows.
• Over time, the tether causes the spine to straighten without removing motion.

Major Elements of a VBT System

✔ Tether Cord: A tough polymer cable that exerts controlled tension.

✔ Anchoring Screws: Hold the tether in place against the vertebrae.

✔ Tensioning Devices: Change the tightness of the tether to adjust for correction.

Vantages of VBT over Traditional Fusion

• Preserves spinal motion to achieve a natural range of movement.
• Reduces the time spent recovering as there is no stiff fusion required.
• Eliminates long-term pathology, such as adjacent segment disease.

Why it Matters that VBT be Precise

With an overly taut tether, there is excess correction and disequilibrium of the spine. When it’s loose, nothing corrects. VBT is successful depending on:

• Accurate planning using 3D imaging.
• Accurate screw placement.
• Proper tensioning of the tether.

4. Other Spinal Surgery Equipment

Apart from rods, screws, and fixation devices, doctors also employ some more tools to carry out accurate spinal alignment:

🔹 Rod Benders & Cutters: Utilized to bend spinal rods to fit best.

🔹 Bone Graft Materials: Promote vertebral fusion by stimulating the formation of new bone tissue.

🔹 Retractors & Distractors: Permit access and provide support for spinal alignment during surgery.

🔹Surgical Navigation Systems: Increase accuracy in rod alignment and screw placement.

Conclusion: Spinal Deformity Correction Equipment for Life-Changing Outcomes

Scoliosis surgery is an extremely technical procedure that involves precision, technique, and precision surgical equipment. Spinal rods, pedicle screws, and vertebral body tethering tools all play an essential role in the correction of spinal deformity and improved patient outcomes.

Why High-Quality Instruments are Important

✅ Improved Stability: Stably fixed implants minimize complications.

✅ Improved Accuracy of Correction: The new equipment provides accurate spinal alignment.

✅ Better Long-Term Results: Long-lasting implants reduce revision procedures.

Hasni Surgical has expertise in producing high-precision spinal instruments made for high performance and patient protection. Our spinal implants and surgery instruments have the highest level of quality, guaranteeing surgeons perform life-altering procedures confidently.

To learn more about our spinal surgery instruments, reach out to us today!