Scoliosis, characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, causes a measurable reduction in standing height. This spinal deformity forces the vertebral column into a curved path rather than a straight vertical one, effectively shortening the trunk. Since the procedure is designed to correct this unnatural spinal alignment, a common question is whether scoliosis surgery increases height. The surgical correction frequently restores the vertical length lost due to the curvature, making height gain a well-documented outcome.
The Mechanism of Height Restoration
The spine reduces in vertical height when it develops a lateral curve because the vertebrae stack along a curved path instead of a straight vertical one. This abnormal curve pulls the top and bottom of the spine closer together, shortening the torso.
Scoliosis surgery, most commonly a spinal fusion, directly counteracts this effect by straightening the curved segments. The procedure involves the use of instrumentation, such as metal rods, screws, and hooks, attached to the vertebrae. These devices gently manipulate the spine, correcting the sideways bend and rotational deformity.
As the instruments straighten the spine, the vertebral column realigns closer to its natural vertical axis. This physical straightening restores the lost height by maximizing the vertical distance between the base of the spine and the top of the neck. Studies have shown that this correction can result in a measurable gain in spinal height, with some reports detailing an average increase of over 4 centimeters in the length of the instrumented spine.
The restored vertical alignment immediately translates to an increase in the patient’s standing height. This height gain is purely the result of correcting the three-dimensional deformity, not due to bone growth. The spinal fusion process then locks the corrected vertebrae together, creating a solid bone mass that prevents the curve from returning and maintains the newly acquired vertical height.
Factors Determining Height Gain
The amount of height a patient gains following scoliosis surgery is highly variable and depends on several specific pre-operative factors. The initial severity of the spinal curvature is the most significant predictor of potential height restoration. A larger curve, measured by the Cobb angle, indicates a greater amount of lost vertical height that can be recovered during the procedure.
Patients with a Cobb angle exceeding 60 degrees have the most potential for a noticeable height increase, as their spine is significantly shortened by the deformity. The flexibility of the curve before surgery also plays a major role in the final outcome. A highly flexible curve can be straightened more easily and completely with instrumentation, leading to a greater height gain.
Conversely, curves that are rigid or stiff, often seen in older adolescents or adults, offer less potential for correction, limiting the amount of vertical height that can be restored. The number of vertebral segments included in the surgical fusion is also a factor, as fusing more levels allows the surgeon to apply corrective force across a larger section of the spine.
While height gain estimates vary widely among individuals, patients commonly report an increase ranging from 1 to 3 inches, with some experiencing gains of up to 4 inches or more. This range emphasizes the individualized nature of the result. The final height achieved is a direct function of how much the pre-operative deformity is reduced.
Primary Objectives of Scoliosis Surgery
Although increased height is a welcome side effect for many patients, it is not considered the primary medical goal of scoliosis surgery. The procedure is a corrective measure designed to address serious health risks and improve the patient’s well-being. The foremost objective of the operation is to prevent the progression of the curve, particularly in growing adolescents whose spinal curvature would otherwise continue to worsen over time.
Another main goal is to stabilize the spine by using instrumentation to hold the corrected alignment until a solid fusion occurs. This stabilization is vital for long-term spinal health and function. For patients with severe curves, typically those exceeding 70 degrees, surgery is also performed to improve pulmonary function.
A significant curvature can compress the chest cavity, restricting lung capacity and breathing. Straightening the spine relieves this pressure, allowing the lungs to function more effectively. The surgery also aims to restore trunk balance and improve the patient’s overall posture and body symmetry.
Addressing the visible hump or rib prominence and leveling the shoulders and hips are secondary benefits that are prioritized over the isolated goal of increasing stature. Therefore, while a gain in height is a positive outcome, the decision to undergo surgery is based on the necessity of halting curve progression and improving major health parameters.