What You Need to Know about Scoliosis in Children
Did you know that scoliosis—an abnormal curvature of the spine—affects about six to nine million people in the United States? While it typically develops in those is 10-15 years old, the disease can also develop in younger children. When that occurs, the condition — dubbed “early onset scoliosis (EOS)” — typically requires immediate treatment to prevent further complications down the road.
Though some children can delay or even avoid surgery through the use of braces and casts, if these methods aren’t effective, surgery is generally recommended as the goal is to stop the spinal curve from progressing without negatively affecting the child’s growth.
A common surgical treatment involves implanting growing rods that are attached to the spine above and below the curve. Every six months, these rods have to be surgically lengthened to accommodate the child’s growth.
To prevent repeated surgeries, Nuvasive unveiled its Magec System — an alternate growing rod solution that uses magnetic technology to allow doctors to lengthen the rods externally, without having to perform repeated surgeries. In this way, the rods can be adjusted as needed while reducing the risks and potential complications associated with multiple surgeries.
Recent reports, however, have linked the Nuvasive Magic System to other unexpected complications that may land a child back in the operating room. The rod’s internal mechanisms may corrode or fracture, for example, causing tissue damage and requiring additional corrective surgeries. If the rod develops surface degradation, this can also interfere with the magnetic function, meaning that doctors will be unable to lengthen the rods using the external remote control.
Parents and their children thus end up having to endure more hospitalizations and medical costs they didn’t expect, say nothing of the related physical pain and emotional trauma the child endures.
Chaffin Luhana lawyers are currently investigating cases in which the Nuvasive Magec System didn’t perform as advertised, in the effort to help families recover damages.
If your child has been forced to go through painful revision surgeries or other corrective surgeries because of a broken or defective Nuvasive Magec rod, you may be eligible to file a Nuvasive Magec System lawsuit to recover damages. Chaffin Luhana is now investigating these cases and invites you to call today at 1-888-480-1123.