New Center Now Open
At the end of 2017, Atlantic Health System opened the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center. Atlantic Health System developed the center to provide exemplary medical care and care management to adults and children with spinal deformities, including scoliosis.
“Many people first present with a potential spine issue to their primary care physician or pediatrician. Additional expertise is required to comprehensively handle these cases,” says Steven Maser, MD, medical director of orthopedic surgery for Atlantic Health System. “The Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center offers these frontline doctors a resource by providing the most comprehensive screening and evaluation, and assisting in the coordination of care for patients with spine problems. We are well-equipped to treat conditions from a mild spine curvature to complex spinal deformity cases in both children and adults.”
The center’s care team creates individualized treatment plans designed to each patient’s particular deformity pattern. Treatments range from growth preservation techniques for scoliosis treatment, genetic testing to predict potential curve progression, as well as more traditional treatment options such as bracing or spinal fusion. The treatment team, comprised of medical staff from different areas of specialty, is using evidence-based techniques and new technology. Fellowship-trained scoliosis and spinal deformity surgeons lead each team.
Surgeons use the O-arm® intraoperative imaging system and the StealthStation® Surgical Navigation System, new technology that combines intraoperative CT imaging and 3-D navigation to allow for accurate and safe instrumentation placement during spinal deformity surgery.
“Our advanced technology allows the surgical team to see CT images in real time, ensuring we are guiding our hardware to the right location with pinpoint accuracy,” says Jason E. Lowenstein, MD, director of the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center. “For patients dealing with scoliosis and complex spinal deformity, this technology is critical to allow for safe placement of our instrumentation. This allows us to maximally correct our patients’ spinal deformities, which greatly improves their overall clinical outcomes.”
“While spine problems are frequently seen in adults, the most common form of scoliosis occurs in children and teenagers,” says Walter Rosenfeld, MD, chair of pediatrics for Goryeb Children’s Hospital. “Our specialists in pediatric pulmonology, neurology and child development, as well as our hospital-based critical care team, will work collaboratively with the spine surgeons to ensure the best outcomes and the best patient experience for this group of patients.”
Surgeons caring for patients at the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center currently operate at Morristown and Overlook medical centers. The Joint Commission has consistently accredited both medical centers as Centers of Excellence, and U.S. News & World Report has recognized Morristown Medical Center’s orthopedic program as a best-in-nation program.
To learn more about the Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity Center or to make an appointment, email us >