.png)
MAGEC Spinal Rod Explant Analysis
This project aimed to improve the health of young children with early onset scoliosis. Researchers examined failed spinal implants removed from patients.
Project leader
Prof Tom Joyce
Dates
September 2016 to March 2017
Project staff
Dr Simon Smith
Sponsors
EPSRC (Prosperity Outcomes Award)
Partners
Mr Mike Gibson, Great North Children’s Hospital
Mr Andy Bowey, Great North Children’s Hospital,
Mr Paul Rushton, Northern Deanery
Description
Since 2014 NICE (the National institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommended the use of MAGEC (MAGnetic Expansion Control) spinal rods for children with early onset scoliosis. This is on a cost-benefit analysis basis.
Despite the high initial costs of MAGEC rods (£16k per pair) they make savings due to a reduced need for invasive surgery. Lengthening achieved using an external magnet makes this possible.
There have been reports of failures of the MAGEC rods to lengthen. Also the removal of rods due to metallosis .
Understanding how the rods have failed leads to appropriate engineering design changes to prevent future failures.