1. To access the affected area, Dr. Ferguson will make an incision down the centre of the back. The location and size of the incision vary depending on the position of the curve and the access required by Dr. Ferguson.

2. After gaining access to the spine, he will attach devices such as screws, hooks and rods to the vertebrae. These devices help to straighten the spine and hold it in the correct position.

3. Dr. Ferguson will then perform a spinal fusion using a bone graft to help the vertebrae grow gradually together as one solid structure.

This procedure is most frequently used to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) - a condition that causes children's spines to curve sideways, resulting in abnormal spinal curvature. The term "idiopathic" means that the condition's exact cause is unknown. Although the cause is not known, genetics could be a contributing factor. Treatment options for AIS include observation, bracing, and surgery, depending on the severity of the curve and the patient's growth potential.

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss.*

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood loss, deep vein thrombosis and complications relating to anesthesia. There is also a risk of the spine not healing correctly (nonunion) and implant failure, which may require additional surgery. If the spinal curvature continues to progress after surgery, the patient may require further surgery.  

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the posterior approach procedure.

1. To access the affected area, Dr. Ferguson will make an incision down the side of the chest or abdomen. The location and size of the incision vary depending on the position of the curve and the access required by Dr. Ferguson.

2. After gaining access to the spine, he will remove affected spinal discs.

3. Then, he will attach devices such as screws, hooks and rods to the vertebrae. These devices help to straighten the spine and hold it in the correct position.

4. Dr. Ferguson will then perform a spinal fusion using a bone graft to help the vertebrae grow gradually together as one solid structure.

This procedure is used to help correct abnormal curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis. This anterior approach can produce powerful corrections of spinal deformities. However, it is more complicated than the posterior approach. 

Certain scoliosis curves, such as curvatures within the thoracolumbar spine (where the thoracic spine transitions to the lumbar), are especially responsive to the anterior approach. Dr. Ferguson may also be able to fuse a shorter segment of the spine using the anterior approach, preserving more motion in the spinal column.

When choosing what approach to make, Dr. Ferguson will factor in the following:

•  The type of scoliosis

• Location of the curvature of the spine

• Ease of approach to the area of the curve

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss.*

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood loss, deep vein thrombosis and complications relating to anesthesia. There is also a risk of the spine not healing correctly (nonunion) and implant failure, which may require additional surgery. If the spinal curvature continues to progress after surgery, the patient may require further surgery.  

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the anterior approach procedure.

1. Dr. Ferguson will first access the spine from the front by making an incision down the side of the chest or abdomen. The location and size of the incision vary depending on the position of the curve and the access required by Dr. Ferguson.

2. After gaining access to the spine, he will remove the affected spinal discs.

3. Dr. Ferguson will then close the incision and reposition the patient to access the spine from the back.

4. Then, he will make an incision and once access to the spine has been achieved he will attach devices such as screws, hooks and rods to the vertebrae. These devices help to straighten the spine and hold it in the correct position.

5. Dr. Ferguson will then perform a spinal fusion using a bone graft to help the vertebrae grow gradually together as one solid structure.

Read more about the steps you can take to optimise your healing process.

This procedure is used to help correct abnormal curvature of the spine, known as scoliosis. This anterior-posterior approach is often used for extremely severe or stiff spinal curves - of if previous surgeries haven’t provided 

When choosing what approach to make, Dr. Ferguson will factor in the following:

•  The type of scoliosis

• Location of the curvature of the spine

• Ease of approach to the area of the curve

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications that you and Dr. Ferguson will discuss.*

For this particular treatment, these may include: infection, nerve damage, blood loss, deep vein thrombosis and complications relating to anesthesia. There is also a risk of the spine not healing correctly (non-union) and implant failure, which may require additional surgery. If the spinal curvature continues to progress after surgery, the patient may require further surgery.  

*Always consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse effects, clinical results and other important medical information that pertains to the anterior approach procedure.