Scoliosis & Other Spine Disorders

A child’s spine does much more than help them stand tall—it supports growth, movement, balance, and development. When problems with the spine arise, they can affect posture, comfort, confidence, and even lung and heart function. That’s why pediatric spine specialists play such an important role in helping children grow up strong and healthy.

The Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital offers care for infants, children, and adolescents with scoliosis and spinal deformities. Our orthopedic surgeons work with other pediatric-specific specialists, such as anesthesiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, pulmonologists, pain specialists, cardiologists, and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care.

What is Pediatric Spine Care?

Pediatric spine care is a subspecialty of pediatric orthopedics focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing spinal conditions in children, from newborns to adolescents. Unlike adults, children’s spines are still developing, with growth plates that shape alignment and curvature as they mature. Early diagnosis and appropriate care can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems later in life.

Common spinal conditions in children include scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, spondylolysis, and spondylolisthesis. Some children may also experience spine problems due to neuromuscular conditions, congenital deformities, or trauma. In all cases, the goal of treatment is to ensure healthy growth, maintain balance and posture, and prevent pain or progression as the child develops.

Our pediatric orthopedic spine team combines specialized training, advanced imaging, and the latest nonsurgical and surgical techniques to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care. Whether your child needs observation, bracing, physical therapy, or surgery, we work closely with families to find the right approach—one that supports both the spine and the child behind it.

What We Do

Pediatric orthopedic spine care focuses on conditions that affect the spine, spinal cord, and supporting muscles during a child’s growth years. Because children’s spines change dramatically as they develop, the approach to diagnosis and treatment must account for growth potential and skeletal maturity. Pediatric orthopedic spine specialists use advanced imaging and growth assessment tools to evaluate spinal alignment and curvature. Treatments may include observation, bracing, physical therapy, or, if necessary, surgical procedures designed to correct the deformity and guide proper growth. The focus is always on preserving function, balance, and mobility while protecting the child’s long-term health and quality of life.

Conditions We Treat

We diagnose and treat children with pediatric spine conditions, including:

• Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine)
• Kyphosis (rounded back or forward curvature)
• Lordosis (excessive inward curvature)
• Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis (spinal instability or stress fracture)
• Congenital spine deformities (present at birth)
• Neuromuscular scoliosis related to conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
• Trauma-related spine injuries
• Back pain, imbalance, or visible asymmetry of the shoulders, ribs, or waistline

Care at Columbia

More children's spine surgery is performed at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital/NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center than any other single center in New York. Our pediatric spine surgeons are fellowship-trained in both pediatric orthopedics and the correction of spinal deformities. They bring years of experience managing everything from mild curvature to complex spinal deformities, combining expertise with a compassionate, family-focused approach.

We offer the latest techniques and technologies, including growing rods, vertebral body tethering, magnetic-controlled growing implants, and 3D-guided surgical planning for precision correction.

Centers and Programs

The Center for Early Onset Scoliosis is led by Michael Vitale, MD, MPH, chief of pediatric spine and scoliosis surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. The Center treats more than 400 children under the age of five each year. The Center has contributed to national efforts to improve the care of patients with EOS through Dr. Vitale’s leadership of the Children’s Spine Study Group, a group of surgeons across the country who collaborate on multicenter research on EOS.

The Center for Conservative Care for Spine and Scoliosis is designed for the treatment of early-onset scoliosis, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and adult spine conditions, as well as enhanced mobility for the aging spine. Dr. Michael Vitale and our team of Schroth therapists, nurse practioners, and NYRC bracing experts are renowned leaders in the field of conservative treatment approaches for scoliosis, as well as in the care and treatment of patients for pre- and post-surgical intervention to improve outcomes and maintain healthy results.

Because pediatric scoliosis and other spinal conditions—as well as their treatments—can affect a patient's mental and psychological health, we offer mental health support for children and teens through our Scoliosis & Youth Mental Health Program.

Thoughtful, Personalized Treatment

Whenever possible, we use nonsurgical treatment options, such as bracing, observation, and physical therapy. When surgery is required, our specialists choose the most growth-friendly, minimally invasive techniques appropriate for the child’s age and condition. We work closely with families to create a treatment plan that’s safe, effective, and easy to follow.

Every child’s spine and growth pattern is unique. Our personalized treatment plans take into account your child’s age, condition, and growth stage, as well as your family’s goals and concerns. From diagnosis through recovery, we focus on helping your child maintain strength, balance, and confidence—so they can continue to grow, play, and live without limitations.