Flexible posterior vertebral tethering for the management of Scheuermann’s kyphosis: correction by using growth modulation—clinical and radiographic outcomes of the first 10 patients with at least 3 years of follow-up

Purpose The present prospective cohort study was intended to present the minimum 3 years’ results of flexible posterior vertebral tethering (PVT) applied to 10 skeletally immature patients with SK to question, if it could be an alternative to fusion. Methods Ten skeletally immature patients with radiographically confirmed SK, who had flexible (minimum 35%) kyphotic curves (T2–T12), were included. A decision to proceed with PVT was based on curve progression within the brace, and/or persistent pain, and/or unacceptable cosmetic concerns of the patient/caregivers, and/or non-compliance within the brace. Results Patients had an average age of 13.1 (range 11–15) and an average follow-up duration of 47.6 months (range 36–60). Posterior vertebral tethering (PVT) was undertaken to all patients by utilizing Wiltse approach and placing monoaxial pedicle screws intermittently. At the final follow-up: mean pre-operative thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis improved from 73.6°–45.7° to 34.7°–32.1°. Mean sagittal vertical axis, vertebral wedge angle and total SRS-22 scores improved significantly. A fulcrum lateral X-ray obtained at the latest follow-up, showed that the tethered levels remained mobile. Conclusion This study, for the first time in the literature, concluded, that as a result of growth modulation applied to skeletally immature patients with SK, flexible PVT was detected to yield gradual correction of the thoracic kyphosis by reverting the pathological vertebral wedging process, while keeping the mobility of the tethered segments in addition to successful clinical–functional results. The successful results of the present study answered the role of the PVT as a viable alternative to fusion in skeletally immature patients with SK. Level of evidence IV.