Recent advances in the management of early onset scoliosis

KEY POINTS Current literature supports the use of serial casting for most progressive early onset spinal deformities as either a definitive or a surgical delay treatment. If and when surgery is required for early onset scoliosis treatment, the most commonly used system is growing rods, but this may change in the future with other viable options undergoing research, including magnetically controlled growing rods, nitinol staples, tethering, and the Shilla procedure. Expansion thoracoplasty is generally recommended for patients with thoracic insufficiency syndrome. Future goals include scoliosis treatment methods that involve less complications and to successfully treat patients with “fusionless” methods.