Vertebral Body Tethering in an Adult With Lumbar Idiopathic Scoliosis: Rationale and 6-Year Outcomes

Jonathan Markowitz; Rene Castelein; Baron Lonner

doi:10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00394

Vertebral Body Tethering in an Adult With Lumbar Idiopathic Scoliosis: Rationale and 6-Year Outcomes

JBJS Case Connect. 2025 Feb 20;15(1):e24.00394. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00394. eCollection 2025 Jan 1.

Authors

Jonathan Markowitz¹, Rene Castelein², Baron Lonner¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
² Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Case: We report a case of adolescent-onset idiopathic scoliosis of the lumbar spine in a 43-year-old woman treated with nonfusion vertebral body tethering (VBT), a controversial and unreported technique in this age group. At 6-year follow-up, clinical and radiographic improvements are maintained. She continues to live an active lifestyle and reports being pain free.

Conclusion: We demonstrate intermediate term safety and efficacy of VBT in a single adult patient. Careful ongoing assessment of this patient is needed to determine if this procedure will have a durable outcome and lend support for adequately powered prospective multicenter studies.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Female
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae* / diagnostic imaging
Lumbar Vertebrae* / surgery
Scoliosis* / diagnostic imaging
Scoliosis* / surgery
Treatment Outcome
Vertebral Body* / diagnostic imaging
Vertebral Body* / surgery