Correction of scoliosis by implantable electrical stimulator

Intramuscular electrical muscle stimulation has been used to treat spinal curvature. Five single-channel implantable stimulators with two alternating outputs each output supplying electrical stimuli to one reference (+) and two active (-) platinum corkscrew electrodes inserted into the deep paraspinal musculature were implanted. Stimulation is applied daily during rest, and nightly, during sleep, through implanted electrodes, evoking muscle contractions which cause correction of the curvature. Arrest of rapid progression in five patients with single primary curve, treated up to almost four years, (44 months) was observed in 60%. In one case the implantable system was removed after 10 months of treatment.