If you can correct scoliosis partially by stimulating growth bilaterally than you can grow taller by stimulating growth on the spine unilaterally. Unfortunately, this study seems to only study reduction in height.
Biomechanical Simulation and Analysis of Scoliosis Correction using a Fusionless Intravertebral Epiphyseal Device.
“Computer simulations to analyze the biomechanics of a novel compression-based fusionless device (hemi-staple) that does not cross the disc for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.Objective. To biomechanically model, simulate and analyze the hemi-staple action using a human finite element model (FEM).Summary of Background Data. A new fusionless growth sparing instrumentation device (hemi-staple), which locally compresses the growth plate without spanning the disc, was previously developed and successively tested on different animal models.Methods. Patient specific FEMs of the spine, ribcage and pelvis were built using radiographs of 10 scoliotic adolescents (11.7±0.9yrs; Cobb thoracic:35°±7°, lumbar:24°±6°). A validated algorithm allowed simulating the growth (0.8-1.1mm/yr/vertebra){There are 33 vertebrae. So that would 33 mm of height per year and 66 mm over a 2 year period so about 20% of an inch in height} and growth modulation process (Hueter-Volkmann principle) over a period of 2 years. Four instrumentation configurations on the convex curves were individually simulated (Config#1: 5 thoracic vertebrae with hemi-staples on superior endplates; Config#2: same as Conf#1 with hemi-staples on both endplates; Config#3: same as Config#1 +4 lumbar vertebrae; Config#4: same as Config#2 +4 lumbar vertebrae).Results. Without hemi-staples, on average the thoracic and lumbar Cobb angles respectively progressed from 35° to 56°, and 24° to 30°, while the vertebral wedging at curve apices progressed from 5° to 12°. With the hemi-staple Config#1, the Cobb angles progressed, but were limited to 42° and 26°, while the wedging ended at 8°. With Config#3, Cobb and wedging were kept nearly constant (38°, 21°, 7°). With hemi-staples on both endplates (Config#2, Config#4), the Cobb and wedging were all reduced (thoracic Cobb for Config#2 and #4: 24° and 15°; lumbar Cobb: 21° and 11°; wedging: 2° and 1°).Conclusion. This study suggests that the hemi-staple has the biomechanical potential to control the scoliosis progression and highlights the importance of the instrumentation configuration to correct the spinal deformities. It biomechanically supports the new fusionless device concept as an alternative for the early treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.”
“Simulated instrumentation of both growth plates on the convex side of the scoliotic curve
allows the optimal correction”
“The ratio of expected vertebral longitudinal growth rates (Gm: 0.8 – 1.1 mm/yr) [related] according to the difference in magnitudes between scoliotic stress in the growth plate (σ) and regular physiological stress (σm).”
“With the hemi-staple on both growth plates on each vertebra, the growth rate on the convex side was almost null while it was typically maintained to a rate of 0.48-0.66 mm/year (0.8-1.1 mm year reduced by 40% because of an increased compression of 0.2 MPa) on the concave side.”
