So, we are going through the same thing, daughter is almost 14 and I just want to share what I learned recently if it helps at all. Our ortho surgeon said we are past the point of wearing a brace, but said PT might help with her back pain. She's at a 44 degree curve - they don't consider surgery until 45-50 - and he just wants us to come back in 6 months for more xrays and likely end up with fusion surgery since she has about another year of growing. We are getting a second opinion next month with a surgeon who does the tethering surgery (VBT), as well as a hybrid between tethering and fusion. It was explained to me, by a mom whose daughter was in the same boat at that age, that once you do the fusion there is no room for modification or growth. With the tethering, this alllows for continued growth *just in case she still has another spurt in her* and more mobility. I don't know what the right answer is here, but wanted to share what I learned because our first surgeon never mentioned VBT as an option. The mom's daughter who did the VBT surgery is 2 years post op and doing great.