Overview
“Once we realized Mia’s curve would require surgery, my husband and I spent countless hours researching scoliosis and reached out to orthopedic surgeons across the country. We were told by multiple sources that Dr. Peter Newton was ‘the best pediatric spine surgeon in the country and the world.’ Wow! Pretty impressive statement. We flew to San Diego three months later to meet Dr. Newton and his team, and not only were my husband and I impressed with Dr Newton, but Mia was comfortable and had complete confidence in Dr. Newton. He is not only gifted as a remarkable surgeon, but he is also personable and an excellent communicator with both parents and his patients. [Nurse] Amy Kager is also so wonderful!” — Bebee Schloegel
Destination Care
The Spine Center cares for infants, children, adolescents and young adults. We are nationally recognized for our patient care, education and research capabilities in the field of spinal deformity (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, spondylolysis), trauma, tumors, congenital malformations and other spine conditions. Learn more about the conditions we treat.
Peter Newton, M.D., an internationally recognized leader in pediatric spinal conditions, directs the Scoliosis Service. Patients from around the world come to the spine surgery center for treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, congenital scoliosis and failed prior surgery for scoliosis. Learn more about these scoliosis types.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Along with providing the latest treatments, the Spine Center uses cutting-edge technology for diagnosis and treatment planning, including the EOS Orthopedic Imaging System. This ultra-low-dose X-ray system provides high-quality 2-D and 3-D images while significantly reducing radiation exposure. Watch the video below.
3D-printed model of spine with severe scoliosis
In addition, our MRI Center and latest CT scanner provide detailed imaging of the spinal cord and vertebrae, which is important for surgical planning. Our biomechanics lab and 3DI Lab also have 3-D printing capabilities, enabling a 3D model of the spine to be used as a teaching tool or brought into the operating room to guide the spinal reconstruction.
We are pioneers in minimally invasive thoracoscopic methods of scoliosis and kyphosis treatment, an advance that has reduced the pain and recovery time of surgery. One of these spine surgery center procedures for scoliosis is vertebral body tethering (VBT), also called spinal growth tethering surgery, a procedure that partially restrains one side of the spine to allow growth on the other side.
Innovative Treatment Methods
We also provide intrathecal drug delivery for various conditions in conjunction with our Rehabilitation Medicine team. For patients with spinal muscular atrophy, we are using Spinraza (nusinersen), the first and only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for this condition. Due to severe scoliosis, some of these patients have undergone spinal fusion surgery. To provide the medicine to these patients in the safest and most effective way, Andrew Skalsky, M.D. and our team have collaborated to develop an innovative delivery device.
Patient Spotlight: Meet Sophia
Patient and dancer Sophia Insogna describes her incredible comeback from scoliosis thanks to pediatric orthopedic surgeon Peter Newton, MD, and the world-class care provided at Rady Children’s.
In the News
- Michael Kelly, M.D. New Director at Rady Children’s-San Diego, Orthopedics This Week, features Michael Kelly, M.D.
- Why This Surgeon Prefers Freehand Spine Surgery, Beckers Spine Review, features Michael Kelly, M.D.
- The Toughest Decisions Spine Surgeons Have to Make, Beckers Spine Review, features Peter Newton, M.D.
- Machine Learning Predicts the 3D Outcomes of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery Using Patient–Surgeon Specific Parameters, Spine, features Peter Newton, M.D.
- Peter Newton, M.D., and colleagues received the prestigious Thomas E. Whitecloud Award at the Scoliosis Research Society’s 28th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) for their abstract “The Harms Study Group Retrospective Comparison Study on Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering (AVBT) versus Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) for Primary Thoracic Curves.”
- FDA Approved sNDA for Postsurgical Local Analgesia Bupivacaine Liposome Injectable Suspension in Pediatric Patients, Pharmacy Times, features Peter Newton, M.D.
- STUDY: TETHERING “REASONABLE” IN CERTAIN THORACIC SCOLIOSIS CASES, Orthopedics This Week, features Peter Newton, M.D.