FOCOS introduces new spine treatment technique
FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital has introduced a new technique for treating spinal conditions called the Magnetic Expansion Control (MAGEC) system.
The system, which is designed to brace the spine and provide support for spinal deformity correction comprises, a magnetically distractible spinal rod implant and an external remote controller, which is used to regulate the length of the implant to prevent worsening of scoliosis (curvature of the spine) in children who have not responded to other treatments.
Prior to the introduction of this treatment, patients with spinal deformities had to be open up through surgery periodically to adjust the rods in their spine. The introduction of MAGEC has helped reduce associated complication risks from repetitive surgeries, and simplifies the care and journey of an Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) patient.
The MAGEC rod is inserted by making a single incision in the back of the spine with rods and screws to allow for continued, controlled growth of the spine. The device selection is primarily dependent on a patient’s anatomy. The rod can be used in 3 procedures namely the Spinal Instrumentation Implantation, Dual Rod Implantation and the Rod Distraction Procedure. The Spinal Instrumentation utilizes surgical procedures to implant titanium, titanium-alloy, stainless steel, or non-metallic devices into the spine. Instrumentation provides a permanent solution to spinal instability.
FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital has successfully operated on six patients with various degrees of complex spine conditions, since the introduction of the MAGEC rod system in the country. Speaking about the MAGEC rod system to the media, Orthopedic Fellow at FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital, Dr. Kwadwo Yankey said, “ The MAGEC rod system of treatment comes with several benefits like fewer surgical procedures on patients compared to the traditional growing rod patients while achieving the same clinical outcomes, reducing the patient’s overall exposure to anesthesia, reducing risk of patients acquiring infections and preventing the psychological distress and anxiety associated with repetitive distraction surgeries”.
In the face of the best-in-class technology, it has been shown that MAGEC treatment is cost-neutral to traditional growing rod treatment and even repetitive surgeries according to Dr. Yankey. Currently, FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital is the only hospital in Africa with the MAGEC rod system. The hospital received this new technology from the San Diego Orthopedic Society in California.