April 23–26, 2025 | The 20th Annual SOSORT International Congress | This milestone annual meeting brings together leading experts to share the latest research, innovative treatment approaches, and best practices in conservative scoliosis management. Networking with global specialists fosters collaboration and advances patient care through evidence-based research.
About SOSORT
Two decades of learning, innovation, and shared knowledge—this is SOSORT!
Can you imagine how much scoliosis rehabilitation has evolved over the years? It all began with advocating for the role of conservative care, which was once disregarded by many. Since then, SOSORT has witnessed and contributed to groundbreaking advancements: the recognition of the sagittal plane as the most functional aspect of the spine. The BRAIST study—a game-changing RCT that reshaped our understanding. The standardization of objective measures of compliance, was first reported at SOSORT. Innovations in diagnostic tools like surface topography and raster stereography, ultrasound, and low-dose radiation imaging.
—Sabrina Donzelli, MD Msc, SOSORT President
Summary of the SOSORT Program
This year, a team from CUMC went to SOSORT to give presentations. This brought to life how our various team members (PA, mental health coordinator, physical therapists, medical students, and an orthotist) collaborate to best serve our patients.
The people who attended and presented are:
- Amber Sentell Mizerik, PA-C Physician Assistant
- Julia Rakin, Mental Health Coordinator
- Omar Taha, David P. Roye Jr., MD Pediatric Orthopedic Research Fellow, Medical Student
- Matthew Weintraub, David P. Roye Jr., MD Pediatric Orthopedic Research Fellow, Medical Student
- Prachi Bakarania, DPT, Schroth Barcelona C2-Cert., SEAS-2, Scoliosis Physical Therapist, SOSORT Board Member/Secretary
- Trella Allen PT, DPT,Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Schroth-Barcelona Institute Certified – L3
- John Tunney BOCO BOCP Orthotist Prosthetist, East Coast Orthotics
Podium Presentations
- In Brace Correction in Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evaluating The Role of Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Omar Taha, Matthew Weintraub, Mehdi Elfilali, Chidebelum Nnake, John Tunney, Ritt Givens, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH - Increased Lateral Waist to Thoraco-lumbar Height Ratio Correlates with Improved In-Brace Correction
Matthew Weintraub, Omar Taha, Mehdi Elfilali, Chidebelum Nnake, John Tunney, Ritt Givens, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH - In Brace Correction Varies by Rigo Curve Type
Matthew Weintraub, Omar Taha, Mehdi Elfilali, Chidebelum Nnake, John Tunney, Ritt Givens, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH - The Effect of Prior Scoliosis Bracing on Mental Health Outcomes Following Definitive Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Ritt Givens, Omar Taha, Matthew Weintraub, Mehdi Elfilali, Matan Malka, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH, HARMS Study Group —SOSORT 2025 Award Top 10 Best Papers Nominee* - Pediatric Spine Surgeons Report High Mental Health Burden and Limited Support in Scoliosis Care
Matthew Weintraub, Omar Taha, Julia Rakin, Amber Mizerik, Mehdi Elfilali, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH
Poster Presentations
- Brace Compliance Before In-Brace Visit Does Not Confound In-Brace Correction
Omar Taha, Matthew Weintraub, Mehdi Elfilali, Chidebelum Nnake, John Tunney, Ritt Givens, Michael G. Vitale MD-MPH, Benjamin D. Roye MD-MPH - The Effectiveness of Utilizing Individualized Treatment Programs in Management of Adults with Scoliosis: A Short and long Term Perspective
Rebekah Wallach, PT, DPT, Trella Allen PT, DPT, Karlie Gross PT, DPT
Really proud of my team presenting multiple papers at SOSORT in Dubrovnik—sharing our research on bracing, scoliosis-specific physical therapy, and issues around mental health in children with scoliosis! —Michael Vitale, MD
