AIS: Thoracolumbar curve in a golfer who is still highly competitive post-operatively

Description

In 2006, a 14-year-old male from Mississippi came to see Dr. Bridwell. He had a fairly large, stiff, and progressive thoracolumbar curve. The curve was at 75º. He and his family were interested in substantial correction, but they didn’t want a long fusion. The patient has aspirations to be a Division I golfer, so he was concerned about losing his ability to play well.

Treatment

Dr. Bridwell used an anterior approach—that means he approached the spine from the front of the body. Specifically, he performed a thoracoabdominal approach. This kind of approach is well tolerated in teenagers and young adults. Dr. Bridwell used an anterior approach—that means he approached the spine from the front of the body. Specifically, he performed a thoracoabdominal approach. This kind of approach is well tolerated in teenagers and young adults.

Dr. Bridwell chose not to perform the surgery posteriorly because, even with pedicle screw implants, he would have had to fuse more vertebrae in order to get the same amount of curve correction he achieved with the anterior approach.

Dr. Bridwell used a 2-screw/2-rod construct for this patient.

Result

After surgery, the patient’s curve was reduced to 12º. At two years after surgery, he’s doing well, and his golf score is better than it was before he had surgery. Post-operatively, he has returned to being a scratch golfer and is currently highly recruited for Division I college golf schools.