Dallas Surgeon Performed First U.S. Spinal Implant
The Spring Distraction System was implanted in a young patient to treat early-onset scoliosis.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Children’s Health
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In July 2026, Dr. Amy McIntosh performed the first U.S. implantation of the Spring Distraction System at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas. The device was used to treat six-year-old Kingston Brown for early-onset scoliosis.
Why it matters
The system allows for continuous spinal correction while maintaining uninterrupted growth in skeletally immature patients. It is designed to reduce the need for the frequent revision surgeries typically required by magnetically-controlled growing rods.
The device utilizes compressed helical springs wrapped around cobalt chrome rods, which are secured via titanium pedicle screws. This configuration provides the necessary force for spinal alignment in patients like the six-year-old recipient.
The players
Dr. Amy McIntosh
An orthopedic surgeon who performed the first U.S. implantation of the device at Scottish Rite for Children.
Kingston Brown
The six-year-old patient who became the first person in the United States to receive the Spring Distraction System.
Scottish Rite for Children
A world-renowned pediatric orthopedic hospital in Dallas that served as the site for the initial U.S. implantation.
University Medical Center Utrecht
A research institution in the Netherlands where the medical device was originally developed.
The details
Developed in the Netherlands, the system uses rods that slide on polyethylene-lined connectors to accommodate natural spinal development. The successful July procedure at Scottish Rite for Children marked the debut of this technology in the United States.
Timeline
Development of the device began in 2015.
A patent was secured in the Netherlands in 2017.
The FDA cleared the system for U.S. use on January 19, 2026.
The first U.S. surgery took place in July 2026.
The Big Picture
The Spring Distraction System offers a mechanical alternative to magnetically-controlled growing rods for scoliosis patients. This technology marks a shift toward continuous, force-based spinal correction that aims to simplify the treatment path for skeletally immature patients.
This development introduces a new surgical option for families managing early-onset scoliosis in children. It potentially offers patients a way to minimize the number of invasive revision surgeries required during their spinal growth years.
The takeaway
The Spring Distraction System represents a move toward mechanical spinal correction that supports natural growth cycles. Parents of children with early-onset scoliosis should consult with their surgeons to determine if this new technology is suitable for their specific clinical needs.
Further reading
For more on pediatric orthopedic breakthroughs, visit Children’s Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Press.
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