Childhood Scoliosis Surgery: What Parents Need to Know

Finding out your child has scoliosis can leave you full of questions and concern. Will they be able to grow normally? Will the condition get worse?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when the curve becomes more noticeable or starts to affect movement. Non-surgical treatments like braces may not always be enough, and the word "surgery" can sound frightening, especially when it involves your child’s spine.

But scoliosis surgery, when necessary, is highly effective and safe in children. With the right approach, it can relieve symptoms, correct posture, and help your child live a full, active life. This blog explains when surgery is needed, the types available, and what to expect during recovery.

What is scoliosis?

Before we jump to scoliosis surgery, let’s first understand what scoliosis is.

Scoliosis is a condition that causes your backbone to curve side-to-side. Normally, your backbone has subtle curves in forward and backward directions. In scoliosis, your spine bends to one side of your body or both, forming an “S” or “C” shape.

Types of scoliosis

There are mainly three types of scoliosis:

1. Congenital scoliosis

In congenital scoliosis, the abnormal curves in the backbone form while the baby is developing in the womb.

At birth, the scoliosis might go unnoticed as the abnormal curves tend to worsen during the growing years.

2. Idiopathic scoliosis

It is the most common type of scoliosis. The cause is unknown, hence the name “Idiopathic” scoliosis.

About 30% of the cases have a family history of scoliosis, which suggests idiopathic scoliosis might be genetic.

It can appear in toddlers (infantile) or it may develop later during teenage years (adolescent).

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3. Neuromuscular scoliosis

In this type, scoliosis occurs as a result of conditions that involve nerve and muscle damage, such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.

The muscles supporting the backbone become weak, resulting in neuromuscular scoliosis.

Complications of scoliosis

When scoliosis is mild, the symptoms usually do not develop. If scoliosis progresses, the spine can become severely curved. In such a situation, the following symptoms appear:

• Back Pain

• Rib hump

• Uneven shoulders

• Uneven hips

• Poor posture

• Breathing difficulty

• Heart problems

The above problems can be prevented in a child with the use of braces that gradually make the spine straight. But in severe cases, surgery for scoliosis in children becomes unavoidable.

At what point is surgery recommended for scoliosis in children?

Whether or not your child needs surgery is a decision that an experienced doctor can help you with. Your child might need surgery for scoliosis when:

• Back pain seems to get worse

• Breathing difficulty arises

• Abnormal curvature of the spine is greater than 45-50 degrees

• Physical appearance is a major concern

• Braces, physical therapy, and other non-surgical treatments have failed to relieve the symptoms

In the above scenarios, surgery might save your child from severe health problems due to scoliosis in the future.

Not sure if surgery is the right step? Let QCG help you get a second opinion from a top pediatric spine surgeon.

What age is best for scoliosis surgery?

There’s no single “best age” for scoliosis surgery. It depends on your child’s growth, the severity of the spinal curve, and the worsening of the condition.

In general, doctors usually consider surgery when the curve reaches 45–50 degrees and non-surgical treatments no longer work.

Younger children may benefit from growing rods or VBT, while teens closer to full growth often have spinal fusion. A spine specialist will help decide the right time based on your child’s needs.

Types of scoliosis surgery

Different types of surgeries can be performed to correct scoliosis in children and teenagers:

1. Spinal fusion for scoliosis

Spinal fusion is the most widely used surgery for scoliosis. During the surgery, the doctor makes a large incision (cut) on the back. Rods and screws are placed along the abnormal curves in spine for straightening them.

Bone grafts are placed between vertebrae that will grow and fuse the spine permanently in the next few months.

Spinal fusion is the recommended treatment for complex scoliosis.

2. Growing rods for scoliosis

It is necessary to allow full normal growth of the spine while correcting the curve. Therefore, spinal fusion surgery is not performed in children as it can prevent them from growing.

Thus, the doctors use a special type of rods for young children in scoliosis surgery. After every few months, the surgeon will make small cuts and increase the length of the rods. This lets the spine grow without any hindrances.

Another form of growing rods is magnetic rods having magnetic expansion control. The length of these rods is increased magnetically with the help of a remote control. In this way, your child would not have to undergo repeated surgeries.

3. VATS for scoliosis

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgery that uses only small cuts to correct scoliosis in the thoracic (chest) area of your body. It leaves you with less scarring and a faster recovery. However, only people with good lung condition can undergo this surgery.

4. Vertebral body tethering (VBT) for scoliosis

Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a better surgical choice for children than spinal fusion. It is minimally invasive and allows proper growth of the spine.

The surgeon will place screws on the sides of abnormal curvature, through which a tether (a flexible cord) passes. As opposed to rods, tethers are flexible enough to allow the spine to continue its growth.

What is the best surgery for scoliosis?

If the child is in the growth phase, surgeries that implant growing rods are a suitable choice.

Vertebral body tethering (VBT) for scoliosis is an alternative to spinal fusion that preserves the flexibility of the spine. But keep in mind that VBT is a relatively new surgical technique, and its long-term effects on the body are still under study.

How long does scoliosis surgery take?

The duration of surgery depends on the complexity of the scoliosis. If the curves are present throughout the whole spine, then the surgery lasts longer.

The typical duration of a spinal surgery for scoliosis is about 4-6 hours.

Explore the best treatment options for your child’s spine. QCG partners with accredited hospitals offering advanced scoliosis surgery.

What are the negatives of scoliosis surgery in kids?

In case of spinal fusion, the biggest drawback is that it will make the backbone of your child stiff permanently. Your kid may face restrictions in body movements that involve the spine, such as bending down.

Also, surgeries that use flexible materials like tethers and growing rods might not correct the curve entirely. They usually decrease the abnormal curvatures due to scoliosis to a certain degree only.

Another downside of surgery for scoliosis is that many people have reported an increase in back pain.

What are the risks of childhood scoliosis surgery?

During spinal surgery for scoliosis, the following complications may arise:

• Excessive bleeding

• Formation of blood clots

• Nerve damage leading to paralysis

• Infection

• Implant failure, such as rods breaking

What is the procedure for scoliosis surgery in children?

Here are the details of the events that will take place on the day of the surgery:

Before scoliosis surgery

• Your child will be required to abstain from eating and drinking for 6-12 hours before surgery.

• You will have to ask the doctor about medicines your child needs to avoid before surgery.

• When you are in the hospital, your child will undergo medical evaluations, including an MRI, CT scan, X-ray, and blood test.

During scoliosis surgery

• First, your child will be put under general anesthesia. This keeps the child asleep during the whole surgical procedure.

• Next, the surgeon will make a large cut or, in case of minimally invasive surgery, small cuts to gain access to the spine.

• The doctor will place implants such as rods and screws along the affected part of the spine.

• Then, the surgeon will use bone grafts that will keep the spine upright.

• Lastly, all the incisions made are carefully closed.

After scoliosis surgery

• For about 3 to 4 days, your child will have to stay in the hospital after surgery.

• During this time, the medical staff will keep your child under observation.

• They will give medications to reduce pain and the risk of infection from surgery.

• To support the backbone after surgery, your child will have to wear a brace.

• The doctor will give you certain instructions and prescribe medications before discharging your child.

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What is the recovery time for scoliosis surgery in children?

The complete recovery from scoliosis surgery in children can take up to 1 year. Here are some things to keep in mind during the recovery process:

• For the first 2 weeks, your child needs plenty of rest and care. Keep the incision site clean to prevent infection. Activities that involve bending or twisting of the spine must be avoided.

• During the next 2 to 6 weeks, school and participation in light physical activities can be resumed. Physical therapy can help your child heal and improve movement. However, excessive bending and lifting heavy objects is not recommended.

• By 3 to 6 months, your child will become more physically active and regain most of the mobility.

• In 6-12 months, full recovery from the surgery takes place.

Physical therapy and regular doctor visits will enable your child's spine to stay strong and stable as they continue to grow.

Is scoliosis surgery safe for kids?

Yes, scoliosis surgery is generally safe for children when performed by experienced pediatric spine surgeons in accredited hospitals. With advanced techniques, including minimally invasive options and growth-preserving devices, the risk of serious complications is low. Most children recover well, regain mobility, and return to their normal activities within months.

That said, safety depends heavily on choosing the right care team and facility. QCG can help you find trusted scoliosis specialists and hospitals with a strong track record in pediatric care. Contact us now!