Scoliosis care at Mayo Clinic
Your Mayo Clinic care team
Pediatric specialists work together to provide the best care for each child who has scoliosis. Mayo Clinic fosters a unique practice environment where doctors and nurses collaborate to safely innovate and to develop the best treatment plans for children with spine conditions.
Orthotic specialists are involved in making braces, while physical therapists can help with rehabilitation if surgery is needed. Child life specialists teach children and their families what to expect at each stage of treatment. When needed, scoliosis surgery is performed by Mayo Clinic surgeons specializing in child and adolescent spine disorders.
Advanced imaging technology
Pediatric radiologists at Mayo Clinic use advanced techniques, such as a newer type of X-ray machine that reduces radiation exposure while producing detailed 3D images. Mayo surgeons often make patient-specific 3D models to help surgeons see exactly what the structures look like before they ever make an incision.
Mayo Clinic teams include pediatric neuroradiologists and radiation physicists who specialize in pediatric spine imaging, low-dose imaging and diagnosis of complex spine conditions.
Newest treatment options
At Mayo Clinic, treatment options may include:
- Vertebral body tethering. Also called VBT, this procedure uses only a few small incisions. Surgeons place screws along the outside edge of the spinal curve and thread a strong, flexible cord through the screws. When the cord is tightened, the spine straightens. VBT preserves motion and spinal growth. But it doesn't work for all types of scoliosis.
- Expanding rod. If the scoliosis gets worse quickly in a person who's young, surgeons can attach one or two rods along the spine. Doctors can make the rod longer as the child grows. The rods are lengthened every 3 to 6 months either with surgery or at the doctor's office using a remote control.
- Casting. For children under 3, Mayo Clinic doctors sometimes suggest a series of body casts that are replaced every few months as the child grows.
- Robot-assisted and navigated surgery. Mayo Clinic surgeons routinely use computer navigation and robotic assistance during complex spinal surgeries. They often use imaging during these operations to help them get around the surgical area. Neurologists watch the child's spinal cord during surgery to provide early warning if it's being affected.
Expertise and rankings
Doctors at Mayo Clinic have been treating childhood and adolescent scoliosis for more than 80 years. Pediatric specialists at Mayo Clinic Children's have great expertise and experience in treating children with complex and rare diseases. More than 3,500 people visit Mayo Clinic for scoliosis care each year.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
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Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.