Dr. Baron Lonner is a best in class congenital scoliosis board certified orthopedic spine surgeon with offices in NYC (Manhattan) and Long Island (Great Neck).
Congenital scoliosis is a rare spinal condition that develops before birth when one or more vertebrae do not form or separate normally during early fetal development. As a child grows, these spinal abnormalities can cause the spine to curve or rotate, leading to scoliosis, kyphosis, or a combination of both.
At Scoliosis & Spine Associates, Dr. Baron Lonner provides specialized evaluation and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents with congenital spinal deformities. Considered as one of the best scoliosis surgeons in NYC (and the world) and a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon in New York, Dr. Lonner has extensive experience treating both simple and highly complex congenital spinal conditions using the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques.
Early diagnosis and expert management are essential to preserving spinal growth, maintaining balance, protecting lung development, and minimizing the need for more extensive surgery later in childhood.
Dr. Baron Lonner is incredibly experienced, compassionate, and truly provides patient / family centered care. He provided models and all of the options to our daughter with risks benefits to help inform our decision. His team worked tirelessly, with tremendous patience helping to schedule our daughters surgery in the face of unusually difficult insurance circumstances. We feel fortunate to have our daughter cared for by Dr. Lonner and his team. I can give no higher recommendation then to “say” he is the right scoliosis surgeon for your child (and family). ~ Google
What Is Congenital Scoliosis?
Congenital scoliosis is a spinal deformity caused by vertebrae that do not develop normally during the first six weeks of pregnancy. Unlike adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis is present at birth, although the spinal curve may not become noticeable until infancy, childhood, or even adolescence as the child grows.
Dr. Baron Lonner has been my spinal doctor since I was 11 years old! He has performed both my spinal surgeries. I am now in my mid-30s & I went from almost 49 degree curve (around 2010) to now around 8.75 or so. I move better now then I did in my 20s. 🙏🏽
From having my parents having to take me to appointments to now being an adult who goes on my own for random check ups, I can’t be more grateful for Dr. Lonner’s consistent dedication to his patients.
I will praise Dr. Lonner’s name to anyone who will listen! He is well respected by me as a patient. And my parents till this day are so grateful for all he has given to me, which is the ability to not have scoliosis effect my life in a drastic way.
I have even gone to Dr. Lonner about what I should do as I now have to consider pregnancy one day in the future with consideration to my 2 spinal fusions and like the professional he is, he told me what needs to be done to maintain a healthy spine during a pregnancy.
Dr. Lonner covers all questions I’ve ever thrown his way. From adolescence to adulthood. He’s truly the GOAT! 😎
Parents, trust me when I say Dr. Lonner is the only choice for your child.
Adults, trust me when I say Dr. Lonner will help you live your life the way you deserve.
Dr. Lonner is simply the best, better than all the rest! *Tina Turner voice* ~ Google
The severity of the condition depends on:
- The type of vertebral abnormality
- The number of affected vertebrae
- Their location within the spine
- The child’s remaining growth potential
Some children have only a mild spinal curve that remains stable, while others experience rapid progression requiring early surgical treatment.
Types of Congenital Spinal Abnormalities
Several developmental abnormalities can cause congenital scoliosis.
Hemivertebra
A hemivertebra occurs when only one side of a vertebra develops, creating a wedge-shaped bone that causes the spine to curve as the child grows.
This is one of the most common causes of congenital scoliosis and often progresses during periods of rapid growth.
Failure of Segmentation
Normally, each vertebra separates from the next during fetal development.
When this separation does not occur, adjacent vertebrae remain fused together, creating an unsegmented bar that restricts growth on one side of the spine while the opposite side continues growing, leading to progressive curvature.
Mixed Congenital Anomalies
Some children have combinations of hemivertebrae and segmentation defects.
These complex deformities often progress more rapidly and require specialized treatment by an experienced congenital scoliosis specialist in Manhattan.
Associated Medical Conditions
Because the spine develops at the same time as several major organ systems, children with congenital scoliosis have a higher incidence of abnormalities involving other parts of the body.
These may include:
- Kidney and urinary tract abnormalities
- Congenital heart defects
- Spinal cord abnormalities
- Tethered spinal cord
- Diastematomyelia (split spinal cord)
- Chiari malformation
- Rib abnormalities
- Chest wall deformities
For this reason, children diagnosed with congenital scoliosis often undergo additional screening studies before treatment.
Symptoms of Congenital Scoliosis
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the spinal abnormality.
Parents may notice:
- Uneven shoulders
- One shoulder blade higher than the other
- Uneven waistline
- Rib prominence
- Leaning to one side
- Shortened trunk
- Visible spinal curvature
- Poor posture
- Delayed sitting or walking in some children
Many infants have no pain, making routine pediatric examinations especially important.
Diagnosing Congenital Scoliosis
Early diagnosis allows treatment before severe deformity develops.
Your child’s evaluation may include:
Comprehensive Physical Examination
Dr. Lonner evaluates:
- Overall posture
- Spinal alignment
- Shoulder and pelvic balance
- Rib cage symmetry
- Neurological function
- Growth and development
- Advanced Imaging
Imaging studies may include:
- Standing spinal X-rays
- Cobb angle measurements
- MRI of the entire spine
- CT scan for detailed vertebral anatomy
- EOS low-dose imaging when appropriate
These studies help identify vertebral abnormalities and determine whether spinal cord anomalies are present.
Screening for Associated Conditions
Because congenital scoliosis is frequently associated with other birth abnormalities, additional testing may include:
- Echocardiogram
- Kidney ultrasound
- MRI of the spinal cord
These evaluations help ensure the safest possible treatment plan before surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Treatment depends on the child’s age, curve pattern, and rate of progression.
Observation
Children with small, stable curves may only require careful monitoring every four to six months.
Regular examinations and imaging allow progression to be identified early before significant deformity develops.
Bracing
Unlike adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, braces generally cannot correct the congenital spinal abnormality itself.
However, bracing may help control flexible compensatory curves that develop above or below the congenital deformity in carefully selected patients.
When Is Surgery Recommended?
Because congenital curves often progress as children grow, surgery is recommended earlier than for many other forms of scoliosis.
Surgery may be considered when:
- The spinal curve is rapidly progressing
- Significant spinal imbalance develops
- Lung development may become compromised
- Neurological symptoms appear
- Severe deformity is anticipated with continued growth
Early intervention often allows surgeons to treat fewer spinal levels while preserving as much future spinal growth as possible.
Advanced Congenital Scoliosis Surgery in NYC
Considered as one of the best orthopedic spine surgeons in New York and the world, Dr. Baron Lonner specializes in advanced surgical treatment for congenital spinal deformities.
Every surgical plan is customized according to the child’s age, spinal anatomy, and future growth potential.
Treatment options may include:
Hemivertebra Excision
For selected children, removal of the abnormal wedge-shaped vertebra can dramatically correct the deformity while allowing the surrounding spine to grow more normally.
When performed early, this procedure often limits the amount of spinal fusion required and provides excellent long-term correction.
Limited Spinal Fusion
When necessary, fusion stabilizes the affected portion of the spine while preserving as much normal growth as possible.
Early surgery often involves only a small number of spinal levels.
Growth-Friendly Surgical Techniques
For very young children with progressive deformities, growth-preserving systems may be recommended.
Depending on the individual child, options may include:
- Growing rod systems
- Magnetically controlled growing rods
- Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR®) for children with significant rib abnormalities or thoracic insufficiency syndrome
These technologies allow continued spinal and chest growth while controlling curve progression in appropriately selected patients.
Complex Spinal Reconstruction
Older children and adolescents with severe deformities may require advanced reconstructive procedures including:
- Osteotomies
- Vertebral column resection
- Multi-level spinal fusion
- Three-dimensional spinal correction
These highly specialized procedures are performed only after careful multidisciplinary planning.
Recovery After Surgery
Recovery depends on the child’s age and the complexity of the procedure.
Most children experience:
- Improved spinal alignment
- Better overall balance
- Preservation of lung development
- Increased activity levels
- Excellent long-term function
Because congenital scoliosis affects growing children, continued follow-up through skeletal maturity is essential to monitor spinal growth and identify any new curvature that may develop.
Why Families Choose Dr. Baron Lonner
Families from throughout Manhattan, New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, and across the United States and The World trust Dr. Lonner for the treatment of congenital scoliosis because of his extensive experience managing complex pediatric spinal deformities.
Our specialized scoliosis spine surgery practice offers:
- Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon
- Internationally recognized scoliosis specialist
- Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Expertise in congenital scoliosis and kyphosis
- Advanced growth-preserving surgical techniques
- Experience treating complex spinal reconstruction
- Personalized care from infancy through adolescence
- Long-term follow-up throughout growth and development
If you’re searching for the best scoliosis surgeon NYC, best pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon New York, or an experienced congenital scoliosis specialist in Manhattan, our team provides comprehensive, evidence-based care designed to achieve the best possible long-term outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is congenital scoliosis present at birth?
Yes. Congenital scoliosis develops before birth because one or more vertebrae do not form normally during fetal development. However, the spinal curve may not become noticeable until later in childhood as growth occurs.
Will congenital scoliosis always require surgery?
No. Some children have mild curves that remain stable and require only observation. Others develop progressive deformities that benefit from early surgical intervention.
Why are additional tests needed?
Children with congenital scoliosis have a higher likelihood of associated kidney, heart, and spinal cord abnormalities, so screening evaluations are often recommended before treatment.
Can congenital scoliosis affect lung development?
Yes. Severe spinal and rib deformities can restrict chest growth and impair normal lung development if left untreated, particularly in young children. Early evaluation is important to reduce this risk.
Schedule a Consultation with a Leading Congenital Scoliosis Specialist in NYC or Long Islad
Congenital scoliosis is a rare condition that requires specialized expertise and long-term care. Early diagnosis can help preserve spinal growth, reduce the risk of progression, and improve lifelong function.
At Scoliosis & Spine Associates, Dr. Baron Lonner provides expert, personalized care for pediatric and adult scoliosis, spinal deformities, back pain, neck pain, and complex spine conditions. Serving patients throughout NYC, Manhattan, and Great Neck, Long Island, and the world, our practice is dedicated to advanced treatment and the highest standards of safety and care.
Patients seeking an experienced scoliosis surgeon in NYC, Manhattan, or Great Neck, Long Island can turn to Dr. Lonner for individualized treatment and advanced surgical expertise. Contact Scoliosis & Spine Associates today to schedule a consultation.
Scoliosis & Spine Associates
Baron Lonner, MD
1155 Park Ave, #1
New York, NY 10128
646-499-3715
Scoliosis & Spine Associates of Long Island
Baron Lonner, MD
833 Northern Boulevard, Suite 229
Great Neck, NY 11021
516-814-9399
