Michael Vitale MD MPH

Telehealth has become an important part of medicine during times like these and most likely a change that will stay long after the pandemic has ended. Check out this great article about integrating telemedicine into medical models on the spine safety summit website.

Happy International Scoliosis Awareness Day!! Take some time to learn about Scoliosis today. Check out my website for more information http://pediatricscoliosissurgery.com/spine-conditions-trea/

Looking forward to creating some "new normal" during this crazy time. Columbia's telehealth platform is one way for me to see my patients. Check it out at https://www.columbiaortho.org/telehealth

#tbt to 2011 when New York Magazine published Matthew’s story. Dr. Vitale: My patient, Matthew, was a 13-year-old with a difficult case of scoliosis and a significant cardiac problem called a tetralogy of Fallot. His heart has trouble adjusting to changes in blood volume. Guys like him sometimes don’t do well in surgery.... Read full story here: https://nymag.com/health/bestdoctors/2011/scoliosis/

Patient case/complex scoliosis Ismaeel is a 6-year-old boy who has been seeing Dr. Vitale since he was 5 months old for several orthopedic concerns. He and his 10-year-old brother Yaseen were born with a rare disorder that causes multiple skeletal abnormalities such as short stature, bowed legs, and scoliosis.... Over the years, beginning when Ismaeel was 2 years old, Dr. Vitale performed several surgeries on his legs to reduce the bowing and improve his ability to walk. Ismaeel far surpassed expectations, and at age 5 was running around the office! Yaseen saw how much more mobile Ismaeel was after his surgeries and he decided that he wanted Dr. Vitale to help him as well. He just completed the first part of a two-stage procedure and is back to school and doing well. Their condition also puts the boys at higher risk for complications related to anesthesia. Therefore, it was especially important that the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York has a dedicated team of highly skilled pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurologists and nurses who work together to care for patients with complex needs. In this case, Dr. Vitale teamed up with another surgeon, Dr. Joshua Hyman, to reduce the duration of the boys’ leg surgeries and limit their exposure to the anesthetic. Recently, Ismaeel developed a rapidly progressive scoliosis and his thoracic curve reached 85 degrees. He was beginning to tire more quickly and complain of back pain when he sat for too long. Dr. Vitale recommended using a MAGEC magnetically controlled growing rod to manage the curve as Ismaeel grows. Ismaeel had his MAGEC rods placed in May 2015. After his first lengthening his curve is down to 53 degrees and he is no longer having the back pain or fatigue. Most importantly, this novel device has spared Ismaeel many trips to the operating room because the rods are lengthened non-invasively at an office visit using a special magnet. This has greatly decreased the possibility of anesthetic complications.

It will always be!

#tbt to when Dr. Vitale was named one of the Best Doctors in New York for 2015 by New York Magazine. Other top doctor accolades of Dr. Vitale include: Top Doctors: New York Metro Area (book series): 18th Edition, 17th Edition, 16th Edition, 15th Edition, 14th Edition, 13th Edition, 12th Edition, 11th Edition... Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 Partner Publications: New York Magazine: Top Doctors 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 https://www.castleconnolly.com//michael-guy-vitale-orthop/

The Spine Safety Summit; chaired by Michael Vitale MD MPH, co-chaired by Dr. Lawrence Lenke, and other leaders in spine safety; is quickly approaching. Register here to reserve your spot: http://bit.ly/352Fjti

SPINAL FUSION- Samantha’s case Samantha was a 15 year old that presented to Dr. Vitale with a large scoliosis. She had been diagnosed at age 11 and was also having back pain. She had tried bracing and therapy prior to seeing Dr. Vitale. The curve was beginning to impact her quality of life so they sought Dr. Vitale out for another opinion.... They proceeded forward with a spinal fusion and instrumentation. She went from a 55 degree curve that was causing deformity and back pain to a 15 degree curve. In her words Sami says I used to dream of swimming at the Olympics. But as my scoliosis created a curved, twisted, painful spine, I thought I would have to give up that dream. I had not been swimming for over two years when I met Dr. Vitale. He told me I would be able to swim again. Now recovered from surgery, I am back in the water and doing better than I had ever imagined. Dr. Vitale not only fused my spine, he gave me back my dreams! This impacted her so much in a positive way that Sami has now gone on to be the founder of SHIFT Scoliosis www.shiftscoliosis.org. Their purpose is to provide education, support, and connections to medical care via trainings and global outreach programs. We are so proud of Sami for her perseverance in bringing this foundation to life and look forward to seeing her accomplish all of her future endeavors.

Look forward to meeting colleagues in Miami this weekend to teach and learn about pediatric spine deformity at the Stryker Spine Deformity Course, which I am happy to co chair with Dr. Tom Errico and Dr. Stephen George.

Track, collaborate and educate. Have you downloaded your Scoliosis Tracker app yet?

ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL BODY TETHERING (AVBT) Vertebral Body Tethering is a growth modulation technique similar to vertebral stapling. This technique is different in that it involves placing pedicle screws in the anterior vertebral bodies. ... This is typically done thorascopically. The screws are attached to each other with a flexible, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cable on the convexity of the curve. What are the Indications? The indications for this technique are also similar to vertebral stapling in that it should be for patients that are skeletally immature (>8 years old, Sanders 4) with a high risk of progression to a posterior fusion. The main difference between stapling and tethering is that with tethering the curves can be larger. The curve size can be from 35-65 but it must be flexible. We determine the curves flexibility with bending xrays. This is still a new technology with unknown long term outcomes. A conservative non operative approach of Rigo Cheneau bracing and Schroth may be the preferred method in your child’s case. We determine the best treatment options on a case by case basis depending on multiple things. In the right setting though and in the right patient, this procedure may be the best option.

Meet Amber Mizerik, RPA-C Amber has been with the Pediatric Orthopaedics Department since 2006. She has extensive experience in treating and understanding the needs of our pediatric patients. ... She is a certified and licensed Physician Assistant. She earned her undergraduate degree from University of Miami and her Master’s Degree from University of Florida. She works alongside Dr. Vitale conducting physical exams; ordering and interpreting tests; providing education to patients and families; and preparing patients for surgery. She also has her own office hours where she sees post op patients and clubfoot patients. In addition, she works alongside the other pediatric orthopedic surgeons in treating clubfoot patients. She is responsible for all of the clubfoot casting and works very closely with these patients and parents. She works with the orthopedic team, parent, patient, and referring physicians to ensure that care is seamless. In addition to her daily clinical responsibilities, she helps to coordinate the education of the Orthopedic team as well as improve patient and parent education. Recently, Dr. Vitale published a book co-authored by Amber Mizerik, on scoliosis. The book titled Scoliosis-A Guide for Children and Their Families provides guidance, for patients and families, through the journey of getting the best possible care for childhood scoliosis.

PATIENT CASE Finlay was 13 years old when he first came to our office by recommendation of his pediatrician. Finlay’s scoliosis presents in the setting of Down’s Syndrome and renal disease. ... Finlay’s curves measured 37, 53, and 55 degrees. We discussed the risks and benefits of surgery at length with Finlay and his family. To ensure safety during surgical planning, we worked closely with Finlay’s Nephrologist. Finlay had a posterior spinal fusion from T2 to L4. Post operatively we did recommend physical therapy to help with hypotonicity of core muscles related to Down’s Syndrome. Finlay did well after surgery.

Proud to present to you the 3 editions of the family of books this year. You can get yours on Amazon!