Originally posted by mariaf
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I don't know what the current thinking is among the experts but the only issue I can see where a surgeon might suggest fusion over tethering is if the spine can only be straightened enough with fusion to hope to avoid long term disc damage in the unfused areas. Dr. Hey has discussed numerous cases where even smaller curves resulted in damage to the discs over time. That's why he advocates a stitch in time approach where you get the spine as straight as possible as early as possible to hope to save levels later in life.
Dr. Boachie stated in that talk about the importance of having good alignment if you hope to preserve the discs below the fusion.
If the tether can get alignment like fusion then it is better because damage is avoided and you still have ROM.
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