Treatment
Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Children’s National Hospital has a team of highly-specialized experts that work together to correct idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents using posterior spinal fusion surgery. Children with idiopathic scoliosis have an abnormal curve in their spine and may show the following signs:
- Shoulders are uneven
- Head is not centered with the rest of the body
- Hips are uneven
- Shoulder blade heights are uneven or in different positions
- One shoulder blade is more prominent than the other
Posterior spinal fusion is the surgical process of straightening the spine and preventing the curve from getting worse. Metal implants are used to hold the spine in a straighter position until the bones fuse together.
The team at Children’s National works to make the recovery after this surgery as easy as possible for patients and families. Our experts have created the very first Spinal Fusion Surgical Home to streamline care and facilitate faster recovery.
Related Resources
A Guide to Posterior Spinal Fusion (PDF)
Videos on Life After Posterior Spinal Fusion
Providers of Posterior Spinal Fusion
Shannon McClure Kelly, MD
- Associate Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
- Spine, Cerebral Palsy, Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist
Shannon McClure Kelly, MD
Locations
Departments
Benjamin D. Martin, MD
- Associate Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
- Spine, Hip, Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist
Matthew Evan Oetgen, MD
- Division Chief, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
- Spine, Hip, Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist
Aasha's Rare Gift Will Help Other Babies Grow up HealthyTesting the descrption field
Departments that Offer Posterior Spinal Fusion
Spine Program
Children’s National offers children with spinal deformities a range of treatments, including innovative casting techniques, and hope for a bright future.