You may have heard about a new treatment option for scoliosis called Magec rods if you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with the condition. Children who suffer from scoliosis may benefit from the use of these cutting-edge devices because they may help straighten the curvature of the spine, hence decreasing the need for numerous operations and enhancing quality of life. In this article, we’ll take a more in-depth look at Magec rods, including how they function and the advantages they provide.
What Are Magec Rods?
Magec rods, also known as magnetically controlled growing rods, are a specific kind of spinal implant. They are intended to treat children who have scoliosis that was diagnosed at a younger age. Early-onset scoliosis is a form of the spine condition that manifests in children less than 10 years old, and it has the potential to worsen at an alarming rate as the child gets older.
A surgical procedure known as spinal fusion is the conventional method of treating scoliosis. During this surgery, two or more vertebrae are fused together in order to stabilize the spine. Due to the potential risks associated with interfering with a child’s growth and development, this sort of surgery is often not a choice for younger patients.
On the other hand, Magec rods are made to accommodate growth while still providing stability and re-aligning the curvature of the spine. They are meant to be more flexible. The rods are inserted via a procedure that is minimally invasive, and then the length of the rods is adjusted remotely with the use of an external magnet. This removes the need for further operations to replace the rods as the kid continues to develop.
How Exactly Do the Magec Rods Function?
The Magec rods are made up of two different parts: a titanium alloy rod that is surgically implanted in the spine and an external remote control that makes use of magnetic force in order to extend the rod as the patient develops. The rods are meant to progressively and gradually straighten the spine over time. They are fastened to the spine using screws or hooks, and they are anchored to the spine.
When the rods have been surgically inserted,the child will need ongoing treatments to extend them. During these sessions, an external magnet is put over the rod, which triggers a mechanism inside the rod that lengthens it. The magnet is then removed, and the rod is now longer than it was before. This procedure is completely painless, and it just takes a few minutes to complete. The procedure for lengthening is normally carried out once every six months or so, and the amount of lengthening is carefully managed to ensure that the spine is straightening at a pace that is both safe and effective.
Advantages Of Using Magec Rods
When it comes to the treatment of scoliosis in children, using Magec rods offers a number of advantages. In the first place, the rods make it possible for the spine to continue to develop while at the same time maintaining its stability and reversing its curvature. This ensures that the child will be able to continue their growth and development without the need for numerous operations to replace the rods when they get too large for them.
In comparison to more conventional methods of spinal fusion, the recovery period after treatment with Magec rods is noticeably shorter. This benefit is in addition to the fact that fewer operations are required overall. Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, there will be less harm to the tissues that are around the affected area, and the child will often be able to return home the same day or the day following the treatment.
Last but not least, the use of Magec rods may result in an overall improvement in the quality of life for children who have scoliosis. The rods may ease pain and discomfort, enhance breathing and lung function, and lower the risk of future issues such as spinal stenosis or nerve damage by correcting the curvature of the spine.
Are Magec Rods Good for All Medical Cases?
Even though the Magec rods are a promising new treatment option for scoliosis, it is possible that not all children are good candidates for them. The degree and location of the curvature, as well as the age of the child and their general state of health, will all play a role in determining which treatment option is the most appropriate for your child.
Learn More About Magec Rods at Pediatric Scoliosis
Magec rods are a relatively recent treatment option for scoliosis that has demonstrated encouraging outcomes. In conclusion, these adjustable rods make it possible to gradually straighten spine curvature without requiring a series of surgical procedures. The use of Magec rods in the treatment of scoliosis may be very beneficial for individuals who are candidates for the procedure.
Nevertheless, these rods are not appropriate for everyone. Talk to one of our healthcare professionals about the Magec rods or other treatment options for scoliosis if you are interested in learning more about them. We will be able to help you select the best way to move forward for optimal and safest results.