New treatment for scoliosis in children

A New York City hospital is offering spinal stapling, a new treatment alternative for scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, hospital officials say.

Dr. Michael Vitale of The Center for Early Onset Scoliosis at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian says scoliosis in children is painful and can restrict breathing.

Each year, the center sees about 400 patients under the age of 5 who have the condition. Spinal stapling is one of a number of new techniques that promise improved outcomes.

Spinal stapling is a two-hour minimally invasive surgery that involves implanting inch-long metallic staples across the growth plates of the spine. Made of a high-tech temperature-sensitive metal alloy, the staples are implanted using a camera with a very limited incision and minimal scar. The procedure is available to children with progressive moderate scoliosis -- less than 30 degrees -- who are still growing -- girls up to age 14 and boys up to age 16.

Stapling not only stops scoliosis from getting worse, but can even correct the curve, Vitale said in a statement. While most children do well with spinal fusion, we are on the cusp of a new era in the treatment of scoliosis. For the first time, we have a way to potentially reverse the scoliosis.