ROM and stiffness of staples versus tether versus control

[Pooka1]

http://www.ors.org/Transactions/57/0827.pdf

I just skimmed this and have to run but I think the idea is to eventually remove the staples and tethers so this only applies during treatment.

Can others comment?

[leahdragonfly]

Sharon,

I think originally the thought was to remove the staples at the end of growth, but since that requires another surgery, the philosophy changed to leaving them in. The risk vs benefit of an additional surgery to remove staples tipped the scales toward leaving them in unless they are causing problems.

[Pooka1]

Okay thanks for that info, Gayle.

I told my girls about the tethering... it does seem to allow flexion/extension in case they ever need fusion extension. If they need extension of the fusion and get tethered, they will lose lateral bending but they would lose that anyway with fusion.

[Pooka1]

This thread is not showing up in the sub forum where I posted it for some reason.

ETA: Now it appears.