Dr. Michael Vitale of The Center for Early Onset Scoliosis at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian says scoliosis in children is painful and can restrict breathing.

Each year, the center sees about 400 patients under the age of 5 who have the condition. Spinal stapling is one of a number of new techniques that promise improved outcomes.

Spinal stapling is a two-hour minimally invasive surgery that involves implanting inch-long metallic staples across the growth plates of the spine. Made of a high-tech temperature-sensitive metal alloy, the staples are implanted using a camera with a very limited incision and minimal scar. The procedure is available to children with progressive moderate scoliosis -- less than 30 degrees -- who are still growing -- girls up to age 14 and boys up to age 16.

"Stapling not only stops scoliosis from getting worse, but can even correct the curve," Vitale said in a statement. "While most children do well with spinal fusion, we are on the cusp of a new era in the treatment of scoliosis. For the first time, we have a way to potentially reverse the scoliosis. "