Scoliosis care at Mayo Clinic
Your Mayo Clinic care team
Pediatric specialists work together to provide the best care for each child who has scoliosis. Mayo Clinic fosters a unique practice environment where doctors and nurses collaborate to safely innovate and to develop the best treatment plans for children with spine conditions.
Orthotic specialists are involved in making braces, while physical therapists can help with rehabilitation if surgery is deemed necessary. Child life specialists teach children and their families what to expect at each stage of treatment. When needed, scoliosis surgery is performed by Mayo Clinic surgeons specializing in child and adolescent spine disorders.
Advanced imaging technology
Pediatric radiologists at Mayo Clinic use advanced techniques, such as a newer type of X-ray machine that reduces radiation exposure while producing detailed 3D images. Mayo surgeons frequently create patient-specific 3D models to help surgeons see exactly what the structures look like before they ever make an incision.
Mayo Clinic teams include pediatric neuroradiologists and radiation physicists who specialize in pediatric spine imaging, low-dose imaging and diagnosis of complex spine conditions.
Newest treatment options
At Mayo Clinic, treatment options may include:
- Vertebral body tethering (VBT). This procedure requires only a handful of small incisions. Screws are placed along the outside edge of the spinal curve and a strong, flexible cord is threaded through the screws. When the cord is tightened, the spine straightens. VBT preserves motion and spinal growth, but it’s not suited to all types of scoliosis.
- Expanding rod. If the scoliosis is progressing rapidly at a young age, surgeons can attach one or two expandable rods along the spine that can adjust in length as the child grows. The rods are lengthened every 3 to 6 months either with surgery or at the doctor’s office using a remote control.
- Mehta casting. For children under 3, Mayo Clinic doctors sometimes recommend a series of body casts that are replaced every few months as the child grows.
- Robot-assisted surgery. Mayo Clinic surgeons routinely use robotic assistance during complex spinal surgeries. Imaging is often used during complicated operations to help surgical navigation. Neurologists monitor the child’s spinal cord during surgery to provide early warning if it’s being affected. Source- Yahoo and AAP News 2/2025