Progressive neuromuscular scoliosis secondary to spinal cord injury in a young patient treated with nonfusion anterior scoliosis correction

Ninety-eight percent of skeletally immature patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from progressive neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). Operative treatment has typically been limited to posterior spinal fusion (PSF), but a newer technique as described may be less invasive and preserve more function. A PSF of the entire spine to the pelvis is standard of care. However, maintenance of spinal flexibility, motion, and potential growth is desirable. We present a case for proof-of-concept of utilizing a surgical motion-preserving technique to treat progressive NMS in an 11year-old girl with T10 level (AIS B) paraplegia with a progressive 60° NMS of the lumbar spine. She had anterior scoliosis correction (ASC) from T11-L5 without fusion. Over 24 months, the curve growth-modulated to a residual of 12° with continued modulation to 7° at 3-year follow-up (skeletal maturity).