www.scoliosis-assoc.org/iFrameShell.tpl?content=additio -
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Published on: 4/15/2005
Last Visited: 5/23/2009
Robert S. Pashman, M.D.
Director; Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Service
Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders Los Angeles, California
Scoliosis is defined as curvature of the spine in the coronal {front view) plane.
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Unlike the Harrington rod, segmental fixation techniques allow better correction of the curve in both the frontal and sagittal planes {Figure 9). {See Sagittal Balance of the Spine and Flat Back Deformity article by Robert S. Pashman, M.D. in Backtalk, June/July 1996.) New instrumentation techniques have, in many instances, proven to be so rigid that postoperative bracing is sometimes not necessary {Figure 10).
The type of instrumentation, approach, and the use of postoperative braces are based on the surgeon's experience.