Not all rods are Harrington – An overview of spinal instrumentation in scoliosis treatment

Abstract

Background. Scoliosis is a multiplanar spinal deformity, which has been treated in the past with spinal fusion and cast application, starting in the early part of this century. In the last 30 years, Paul Harrington successfully introduced spinal instrumentation for scoliosis. Harrington instrumentation has had a large impact on the treatment of scoliosis. Currently, there are many different instrumentations available for the treatment of scoliosis. Indications differ for the use of these systems. Appreciation of spinal instrumentation is essential to treatment of the patient with scoliosis. Post-operative roentgenographic studies are better understood when the interface between instrumentation and the spine is understood.¶Materials and methods. Distinguishing characteristics between some of the more common instrumentations are noted. There continues to be a proliferation of spinal instrumentation systems. Roentgenograms and spinal models are used to explain how some of the instrumentation systems differ and how they interface with the spine.¶Conclusion. An overview of spinal instrumentation in scoliosis treatment will allow better understanding of the purposes of the hardware and how it relates to the spine.