Patient Cases: Spinal Fusion

This is a 17-year-old who was born with a condition called spina bifida (myelomingocele). This can cause problems with walking, bladder control, and other functions. Because of this condition, she developed scoliosis around the age of 2 ½ years old. This type of scoliosis is classified as “neuromuscular” because it is primarily caused by imbalances in nerve control (neuro) and ... MORE >

Chloe is an 11 year old who was diagnosed with neuromuscular scoliosis at the age of 9.  She has an underlying diagnosis of VRK-1 mutation. At the time of scoliosis diagnosis, she had a 30 degree thoracic curve. At baseline, she ambulates at home with a walker and uses a motorized wheelchair outsider her home. She first came to Dr. ... MORE >

This is a 12 year old who had prior spine surgeries abroad that consisted of hemivertebrectomy, short fusion and insertion of a VEPTR. She proceeded to have multiple lengthenings overseas. She also had a VSD that was repaired, DDH that required an open reduction of the hip and a horseshoe kidney. She came to New York for another opinion, and they ... MORE >

This is a 12 year old whom I met when she was 7 years old. At that time, she had a curves measuring 26 and 21 proximal to distal. We recommended Schroth physical therapy. When she started hitting her growth spurt her curve progressed to the 30 degree range. She started bracing along with the Schroth. She had trouble with full ... MORE >

Jack came to us as a second opinion at the age of 9. He had recently been diagnosed but wanted another opinion. He had 21 and 20 degree curves at that time. He started with Schroth physical therapy and did great with this. A year later his curve progressed and he was prescribed a Rigo Cheneau N brace which is a ... MORE >

Patient was a 9 year old when she presented to us but the pediatrician had noticed the scoliosis a few years prior. Her older sister was also a patient of ours who had spondylolisthesis that required surgery followed by a 2nd stage posterior spinal fusion for her scoliosis. Patient presented to us with a surgical curve but because of her ... MORE >

Mia is a young woman who came to us at 14 year old as a second opinion. She also had some back pain. She had her growth spurt ahead of her but already had a 54 degree curve. I recommended a posterior spinal fusion. She had a fusion from T4-L3 with plastic surgery closure.... MORE >

Omari was diagnosed at the age of 15 and came to Dr. Vitale for a second opinion in regards to his scoliosis curve that was already in a surgical range. He also had back pain and hip pain. He had a 94 degree curve preoperatively and underwent a posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation from T2 to the pelvis. This was ... MORE >

Isabella was ten years old when she first came to our office upon the recommendation of her pediatrician for suspected scoliosis. Isabella is very active playing tennis and soccer. Isabella clinically appeared to have slight asymmetries at her shoulder and flank. Her X-rays showed curves measuring 29, 22, and 16 degrees. Upon discussion of natural history of scoliosis during rapid growth, ... MORE >

Margaret came to us as a second opinion at 16 years old. She was originally diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 5. She had an MRI that showed a chiari malformation and syrinx that required intervention by Dr. Neil Feldstein at Columbia.  She then wore a scoliosis brace for 10 years. She discontinued her brace at the end of ... MORE >