Patient Stories

I found out that I had scoliosis the summer before my freshman year of high school, the day I came back from sleep away camp (I was away for 7 weeks). I had to wear a tighter dress for a sweet sixteen that day. I came downstairs in the dress and my mother could see the visible curve in my ... MORE >

Gabriella’s family faced a daunting prospect after their first visit with orthopedic surgeon Michael G. Vitale, MD. A thirteen-year-old with multiple conditions related to her cerebral palsy, Gabriella was diagnosed with neuromuscular scoliosis with a 62-degree lumbar curve. Dr. Vitale recommended a posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation from the base of the neck to the pelvis. “Thinking of spinal surgery scared ... MORE >

Good Afternoon, Dr. Vitale and Amber, Today I took the biggest step in my life, which was me graduating Queens College and getting my bachelor degree in psychology. In one year, September, 2025, I will be continuing my education and getting my master degree in psychology to become a guidance counselor. I wanted to thank you for everything you guys have done ... MORE >

This is Michael wearing his scoliosis warrior shirt with his brace. We met him at 8 months of age with a 29-degree major curve with an RVAD of approximately 25 degrees. He then came back 4 months later and had a standing xray that showed a 40 degree curve with an RVAD of 53. Read Michael's Case Study > MORE >

Marielle is a girl who first came to Dr. Vitale at 10 months of age for a second opinion of her Idiopathic Infantile Scoliosis. She initially presented with a major curve of 30 degrees and a minor curve of 12 degrees, and Dr. Vitale recommended observation. Dr. Vitale saw her again when she was 18 months old and her major ... MORE >

An Update from Margaret: After 10 years of brace-wearing, my curve had progressed past the point of stability and threatened to inhibit the physical aspects and activities I enjoy so much in life. On August 3rd of 2022, I received a corrective spinal fusion that shifted my life forever. After just six weeks of recovery, I was back on my ... MORE >

For Eliya's parents, finding out their 11-year-old daughter had spondylolisthesis came with a mix of fears and emotions they hadn’t anticipated. Her mother, Mairev, says, “Eliya just woke up one morning in excruciating pain.” After taking her to a doctor in Israel, where they live, and learning about Eliya’s diagnosis, her mother immediately began researching treatments and specialists who could help ... MORE >

At 14, Mia enjoyed playing sports and hanging out with her friends, she had known about her scoliosis for years and had some occasional back pain but nothing that would hold her back from doing the things she loved. Doctors monitored Mia’s scoliosis over the years without issue, but during a normal checkup in the summer of 2020 it became ... MORE >

The curve in Zara’s spine had been monitored over the years by her pediatrician but was never a cause for serious concern. However, by the time she was 13, the curvature was progressing rapidly enough that her doctor said she would need to wear a brace. Zara’s mother, Sabrina, was hopeful that a second opinion might provide them with alternatives ... MORE >

Angela was diagnosed with Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis when she was only seven months old. At that young of an age, there are very few treatment methods available. At the time Dr. Michael Vitale was of the only doctors who specialized in this type of scoliosis and casting young children. "From the moment I got the news that my baby had an issue with her spine I ... MORE >