# Improving Spinal Growth Modulation using a Novel Kyphotic Porcine Model

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2022 · $179,899

## Abstract

Title: Improving Spinal Growth Modulation using a Novel Kyphotic Porcine Model
PROJECT SUMMARY
Spinal fusion is the current standard of care for the treatment of pediatric spinal deformities. However, this
technique ignores the child’s growth potential and eliminates all growth and motion through the deformed
regions of the spine. Recently, attempts to harness the growth potential of the immature spine using flexible
vertebral tethers to correct spinal curvatures have been promising; however, the effectiveness of these
techniques appears limited to small deformities in younger patients. In this work, we propose to use a novel
kyphotic porcine model to (1) determine if straight and deformed spines respond differently to tether tension,
(2) measure the effects that different tether tensions have on growth in the deformed spine, and (3) compare
the rates of deformity correction using tethers with and without vertebral periosteal resection. While current
spinal growth modulation strategies have relied on deformity correction through convex growth inhibition alone,
we will combine growth acceleration in the concavity with convex growth inhibition, to increase the magnitude
of deformity correction possible using these non-fusion techniques. At the conclusion of this study, the
differences in the effects that varying tether tensions have on normal and deformed spines in terms of disc
behavior and longitudinal vertebral growth rates will be determined. We anticipate that increasing tether
tension will cause an immediate change in vertebral alignment but will inadvertently inhibit the differential
growth necessary for long lasting deformity correction. Conversely, we expect periosteal resection to
accelerate overall vertebral growth and therefore increase the effectiveness of the standard tethering. As this
work will be performed in our novel large animal model, these data can be readily translated to improve current
clinical spinal growth modulation strategies and make this model a platform on which to develop and refine
new growth modulating devices.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10841148
- **Project number:** 7R21AR078528-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas D Crenshaw
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $179,899
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-07-05 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10841148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10841148, Improving Spinal Growth Modulation using a Novel Kyphotic Porcine Model (7R21AR078528-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10841148. Licensed CC0.

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